Spokane Airport directors OK budget on same fees

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Oct. 21--Spokane International Airport directors unanimously voted Wednesday to pass along a proposed $60.3?million budget to Spokane County and the city of Spokane for approval.

The 2011 budget, split into $28?million for operations and $32.3 million for capital expenditures, is 5 percent higher than the 2010 budget but does not call for fee increases to the airlines or the public, airport Finance Manager Dave Armstrong said.

Spokane International is among the few airports with 2010 boardings and revenues tracking ahead of 2009 levels, he said.

And the airport remains among the least costly, for airlines and passengers, among U.S. airports of similar size, Armstrong said, as well as compared with costs at destination airports for Spokane passengers.

Parking generates 33 percent of revenues, airline terminal rents and landing fees 30 percent, and car rentals 17 percent.

The U.S. Air Force will lease airport ramp space and other facilities for $201,202 while the Fairchild Air Force Base runway is rebuilt.