The Lake Charles Regional Airport Authority has approved a budget package for 2015 with total operating expenses projected to be $2.06 million with revenue at $2.23 million, airport officials said.

Some of the larger expenses on the operating side are several pieces of capital equipment for maintenance of the grounds. The airport also will add two full-time positions in its Public Safety Department.

An increase in total revenue of 15 percent can be anticipated for the maintenance fund.

“We continue to focus on growing both aeronautic and non-aeronautic revenue rents, fees and charges that the Airport’s tenants pay,” said Heath Allen, executive director. “This allows us to continually maintain, develop and improve our facilities to meet the needs of the traveling public along with our stakeholders.”

The Airport is currently home to more than 30 tenants operating in several different business classifications.

Capital projects will be funded by airport improvement funds, passenger facility charges, customer facility charges and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. Intended expenditures for the year include a rehab to the airfield lighting, wildlife mitigation, consolidation of the rental car maintenance facility and the South Apron expansion design.

“In regards to the expense side, we are laser focused on maintaining an efficient operation, which is evidenced by the fact that our total expenses to operate are much less than many of our peer airports,” Allen said. “The vast majority of our capital improvements are not funded locally but rather by state and federal grants.”

State and federal grants come from Aviation Trust funds that are funded by aviation users in the form of fuel and ticket taxes dedicated to maintaining and improving state and national air transportation systems.

Allen said no general fund money is used for these projects at the state and federal levels.(American Press Archives)