Atlanta Airport’s Service Animal Relief Areas Cost $3.9 Million

Travelers flying through the south recently may have seen the new pet bathrooms at the Atlanta airport, but some eyebrows have been raised after it was revealed the Service Animal Relief Areas cost the facility $3.9 million.

According to Fox 5 Atlanta, officials from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport told City Council members about the final price tag of installing seven dog bathrooms last summer, including one in each concourse.

Airport administrator Thomas Nissalke said during the meeting the high cost of the construction was caused by the unfavorable work hours due to the facility operating 24 hours a day and the extensive renovations needed to turn existing restrooms into animal relief areas.

Part of the reasoning behind the installation of the pet bathrooms is a law instituted by the Federal Department of Transportation in the American with Disabilities Act that requires large airports to have relief areas for service animals.

Nissalke revealed the $3.9 million came from airport funds and not taxpayer dollars, but he did request permission to begin instituting a facility charge on passengers that would total around $4.50 for every airline ticket.