Airport director flags terminal consolidation as key issue in FY27 budget presentation

Rhonda Hamnierge, director of Saint Louis Lambert International Airport, and Antonio Strong, deputy director for finance and administration, presented the airport’s FY27 operating outlook to the committee, describing the year as "very critical" because of a potential terminal consolidation project that requires airline support.

"This is a very critical year for us, so we worked really hard, internally with all of our team but also with our airline partners as we looked at FY27 and the budget to make sure not only was it a balanced budget, but thinking about the big ask that we have from our airline partners on the table as we move through the potential terminal consolidation project," Hamnierge said.

Strong provided a numerical recap: an initial revenue forecast of $249.7 million against O&M and debt expenses of roughly $249.4 million left a small surplus in the original submission; after the proposed budget adjustments the O&M and debt figures were corrected to approximately $251.0 million, producing roughly a $1.3 million net decrease. Strong said the airport would begin the budget season with a budget amendment proposal.

Committee members are scheduled to continue review of the airport budget and any requested amendments in later proceedings.