St. Louis BOA considers plan to signficantly raise salary for new director at Lambert International Airport

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - The St. Louis Board of Aldermen is considering a proposal that would raise the salary cap for the next director of St. Louis Lambert International Airport from $208,000 to up to $650,000 a year.

The airport has been without a permanent director for two months following the retirement of its previous leader. City officials said the pay increase is critical to attracting top candidates nationwide as Lambert prepares to launch a multibillion-dollar terminal consolidation project.

Mayor Cara Spencer defended the proposed hike, emphasizing that the salary would not be paid by local taxpayers because airport operations are funded through airline rates and user fees.

“When you look at what airport directors nationwide are being paid, it is in line with what airport directors are being paid,” Spencer said. “We are embarking upon one of the airport’s most important investments, at least in the last several decades, and that is an airport terminal consolidation project, which will put us on the path for growth in our airport like our city deserves.”

The legislation passed out of committee Thursday and now moves to the full Board of Aldermen for final approval.