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TIA To Cut Budget As Passenger Traffic Declines

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By TED JACKOVICS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 5, 2009

TAMPA - An 8.1 percent projected decline in passenger traffic at Tampa International Airport through September will require the airport to trim its budget, airport officials said today.

But, officials said, there will be no loss in passenger services or airport jobs and the airport will finish the fiscal year with a surplus – but less than expected.

Revenue is expected to decline 6.6 percent, or $12.5 million, to $176.8 million by the end of the fiscal year Sept. 30.

Money will be saved by continuing a hiring freeze that will result in 49 vacant positions by fiscal year's end.

The major reduction will be a 25.5 percent decrease in funds available this year for capital improvements, to $25.3 million.

However, airport officials say they do not expect that to alter airport projects.

In fact, the airport plans to expedite two improvement projects, most of which are funded by federal grants and could include $6 million to $12 million in federal stimulus funds.

Those stimulus funds, however, will not be drawn from taxpayer money – they are generated by fees on airline passengers.

"That will get projects started and jobs created in Tampa this year," airport director Louis Miller said.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817.

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