Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport presented its proposed 2026 budget and a summary of capital projects and concession performance to the council's budget committee on Monday.

Airport leaders reported a relatively flat overall budget — a modest increase from 2025 — and emphasized operational efficiency. They highlighted completed projects including taxiway Sierra and baggage-handling work and said several major projects are underway or nearing procurement: an express shuttle connector road to link the north and south campuses, Runway 22 rehabilitation funded in part by Airport Improvement Program (AIP) dollars, and two parking-overflow lots adjacent to existing garages.

Deputy directors noted the airport's concessions program has posted higher sales even while staffing levels remain modest compared with pre-pandemic 2019 figures; year-to-date concession sales were up about 41% compared with 2019 while employment was about 7% below 2019 levels. Officials said they are keeping cost per enplanement near peer averages.

On contracting, airport staff said they rigorously track DBE, SLDBE and ACDBE participation and enforce compliance. The airport reported it had exceeded goals on several measures for the fiscal year: non-North Terminal construction DBE attainment was 34.75% against a 25.64% goal; SLDBE participation was 43.14% against a 35% goal; and ACDBE was at 25.26% against a 23.93% goal. Airport staff said compliance includes quarterly reporting, site monitoring and verification of subcontractor payments.

Airport officials asked the council to note the projects and indicated they would proceed with procurement timelines and federally funded work where available. There was no committee vote on airport appropriations during the hearing; council members asked clarifying questions about procurement, DBE compliance procedures and coordination with neighboring parishes for airport projects.