Regional Airport Authority
Overview
The Louisville Regional Airport Authority (LRAA) is an independent, public agency that owns and operates Louisville International Airport and Bowman Field. As such, the Authority is responsible for the day-to-day operation of, as well as the long-term planning for, both airports.
The forerunner of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority was established in 1928 by the Commonwealth of Kentucky's General Assembly and is believed to be the first airport to use the authority-type governance in the United States.
Much like a private corporation, the Authority is self-funded and derives operating revenue from a variety of user fees. The Authority does not receive local or state funding for the routine operations of either airport.
Governance
Board
An 11-member Board of Directors that sets policy, approves the budget and hires the executive director, who serves as the organization's chief executive officer, governs the Authority. The Board is comprised of the Mayor of Louisville, seven mayoral appointees, and three gubernatorial appointees-one of which is a member of the Airport Neighbors Alliance Executive Committee. The board members serve four-year rotating terms without compensation.
Board Members
J.D. Nichols
Chairman
Phil Lynch
Vice Chairman
Robert L. Knust
Secretary/Treasurer
Jerry Abramson
Mayor
P. Richard Anderson, Jr.
Mary Rose Evans
Earl J. Jones, Jr.
Elaine Musselman
Gail L. Strange
Jeffrey Sullivan
Executive Director
The executive director of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority is Charles T. "Skip" Miller. Miller came to Louisville in September 2003 from the Ft. Wayne /Allen County Airport Authority, where he served as Executive Director of Airports (CEO). As executive director, Miller implements board policies and oversees a staff of about 200 who handle day-to-day operations, maintenance, and administration.
Miller serves on the Board of Directors of the Airports Council International -North America (ACI-NA).
Powering the Regional Economy
Louisville International Airport and Bowman Field comprise the largest employment center in Louisville Metro. Growth at the airports translates into additional jobs, payroll, business expenditures and construction projects, as well as generating additional local and state tax revenues for the region.
The Airports also fuel the economy by helping retain and attract business, conventions and tourists. They provide access to world markets overnight and connect passengers to world destinations quickly.
In 2005, Louisville's airports generated recurring economic impacts of:
- 43,589 total jobs
- $1.8 billion in total annual payroll
- $4.5 billion in total business expenditures
- $246 million in state and local taxes generated
Link here for the Economic Impact combined report.
Rules and Regulations
Charges and Fees (Chapter 600)
Minimum Standards for Commercial Operators at Bowman Field (Chapter 800)