Baton Rouge airport's budget projected to increase

The Baton Rouge Metro Airport's budget is projected to increase by nearly 5 percent in 2013 to $13.1 million. That's according to a proposal presented to the Airport Commission's finance committee.

Cary Morgan, the airport's business manager, says the increase from an expected $12.5 million expenditure in 2012 will be funded primarily through non-airline revenue, which is expected to jump $400,000 to $9 million.

Non-airline revenue comes from parking, concessions, rental car companies, leases of airport property and other sources.

The Advocate reports airline revenue is expected to remain relatively flat in 2013, at $4.6 million.

Morgan says employee benefits will account for approximately 54 percent of employee salary and benefit costs in 2013.