Indianapolis Airport Authority outlines operating and capital budgets, details runway, baggage and hotel projects

The Indianapolis Airport Authority presented its proposed 2026 operating appropriation of $247,423,000 and a capital appropriation of $330,000,000 to the Municipal Corporations Committee on the evening of the committee meeting. Mario Rodriguez, executive director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority, told the committee the airport handled about 10.5 million passengers last year and has increased reserves substantially.

Why it matters: The budgets support large, multi-year projects that affect airport operations and security, including a $140 million baggage handling replacement, a recently completed, award-winning runway reconstruction and a proposed on-airport hotel. The airport also emphasized local contracting and workforce development as ways its spending benefits Central Indiana.

Rodriguez said the airport has "more nonstops than ever before" and reported "10 and a half million passengers." He told the committee the authority increased reserves and reduced debt over the past decade. Holly Harrington, senior director of strategic alliance, highlighted workforce and community programs, saying, "our people, our people, our people is what makes us great." Jared Kloss, senior director of planning and development, described the Southern…