DOTD presents 97 recommended airport projects; finance concerns as aviation fuel tax estimates fall short

The Joint Transportation hearing on March 17 reviewed the Department of Transportation and Development's Airport Construction and Development Priority Program for 2025–26 and heard public comment about the program's economic importance and funding risks.

Brad Brandt, Aviation Director in DOTD's Office of Multimodal Commerce, said the program is governed by "Louisiana aeronautical statutes Title 2, paragraphs 801 to 814," and that the department received more than 300 applications from nearly all eligible airports. Brandt said the department recommends 97 projects: 25 air‑carrier projects at seven commercial airports and 72 general aviation projects. The department reported a combined recommended total investment near $293 million with a state share of roughly $20.5 million.

Brandt and Commissioner Julia Fisher Cormier told the committee that the aviation priority program is funded by the aviation fuel tax. Senator Cloud and others raised concerns that the Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) projections for aviation fuel tax revenues had not followed a temporary calculation adopted in a recent special session; the department said that lower REC estimates could reduce the amount of state match and therefore hamper the ability to capture federal matching dollars.

Kevin Melton, representing Chennault (Chennault International Airport), and John McMullen, facilities director, told the committee that Chennault is a major economic driver among Louisiana airports. Melton said Chennault and its tenants employ more than 1,000 workers and contribute an estimated $163 million in payroll impacts and about $240 million in economic output to the region; he urged continued state support for the aviation priority program because general aviation airports receive less federal funding than commercial airports.

Members asked about how long projects have been on the backlog and the scoring process. Brandt said DOTD scores projects through a multi‑level administrative process, that most projects have been on the list at least two years, and that DOTD scrubs extremely old projects periodically. Representative Phelps asked DOTD to record application dates on spreadsheets so older requests are easier to identify.

Brandt also presented a system backlog of unfunded airport projects: 648 unfunded projects with a backlog of just over $1 billion, he said. The department requested committee consideration of the 97 recommended projects; no formal vote was taken at the hearing.

The department emphasized that increasing the state's contribution would unlock larger federal matches for many airport projects and urged attention to the REC process and reporting of aviation fuel tax receipts. DOTD said it will continue to work with the Department of Revenue on remittance and reporting issues and will return with any required updates before decisions are taken.