Jackson airport forecasts slight 2026 revenue dip, vows to resist takeover

(JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI) Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport expects a slight revenue dip in 2026 while a years-long court fight over who controls the airport moves ahead. For now, the City of Jackson keeps operational control through the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority (JMAA), but the State of Mississippi continues to push a 2016 law that would shift governance to a regional board largely appointed by state leaders. Airport executives say they will keep upgrading facilities and services even as the legal battle continues.

Recent Court Rulings and Legal Status

In May 2025, U.S. District Court Judge Carlton Reeves denied the State of Mississippi’s motion to dismiss the city’s lawsuit. That ruling lets the case proceed and keeps control with Jackson at this stage.

The city argues the 2016 law—authored by Republican Sen. Josh Harkins—targets a majority-Black city and amounts to an unconstitutional takeover of a vital public asset. The law would replace the city-run structure with a nine-member regional board appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and officials from Rankin and Madison counties, along with Jackson.

The dispute has moved between courts. In late 2024, a federal appeals court ruled to end the dispute, which could have cleared the way for the state-appointed board. City leaders rejected that ruling as an unconstitutional takeover and sought clarification, keeping the case alive.

Legal observers expect a long road, possibly including more appeals to the Fifth Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court. Any actual transfer would also require Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval. The FAA’s airport compliance program explains that changes in airport sponsorship or control require federal review and sign-off, a process that can take time after courts resolve disputes: https://www.faa.gov/airports/airport_compliance

Judge Reeves’ May 2025 order does not decide the merits; it allows the city’s constitutional claims to move forward and signals the federal judiciary’s readiness to examine whether race influenced the policy.

Budget Pressures and Airport Operations

Airport leadership says 2026 revenue will be down slightly, citing uncertainty tied to the governance fight and possible operational effects. Even so, CEO Rosa M. Beckett and the JMAA board point to steady progress on upgrades funded in part by recent federal grants.

Key projects and funding:

• Over $22 million in federal funds for taxiway rehabilitation.
• More than $8 million in federal grants secured in the past year.
• Major terminal restroom renovations underway.
• New nonstop service, including Southwest Airlines flights to Nashville.
• Stronger general aviation activity at Hawkins Field Airport, with a new fixed-base operator offering fuel discounts.

Airport leaders emphasize these improvements will continue. They say the system must keep moving forward to support travelers, airlines, and local businesses, no matter who sits on the governing board in the future.

Economic Impact

The airport’s economic footprint is significant:

With passenger traffic, cargo, and general aviation tied to jobs and contracts, airport decisions ripple across the metro area and beyond.

Policy and Political Positions

The City of Jackson’s position:

• Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba, City Attorney Drew Martin, and the City Council argue the state’s plan is a racially motivated power grab that would drain a core city asset and weaken local control over development priorities.
• They highlight the airport’s support for Black-owned and women-owned businesses and the importance of keeping revenue decisions local.

The State/legislative position:

• Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Harkins, contend a regional board would better match the airport’s customer base and bring broader oversight.
• They argue the airport serves more than just Jackson and that a regional model could draw more investment and improve coordination with surrounding counties.

Both sides appear prepared for a lengthy process. The FAA will have the final administrative review if courts allow a transfer to a state-led regional board. VisaVerge.com notes that FAA approval is needed for any transfer of airport control after court proceedings, adding another layer of review before changes take effect.

Geography, Governance, and Broader Context

The dispute has geographic and political roots:

• The airport sits in Rankin County but on property owned by the City of Jackson, creating a debate over who should set policy and collect revenue.
• The 2016 statute authored by Sen. Harkins sets a nine-member authority with appointments split among state leaders and local officials from Rankin and Madison counties and Jackson.
• City officials argue this structure dilutes Jackson’s voice over land it owns and the enterprise it built.

This fight mirrors other state-local clashes involving Jackson in recent years—covering the water system, public schools, and other municipal functions. Control of the airport carries both practical service implications and symbolic weight: it is the gateway most visitors see and a key economic driver as the capital city seeks stability.

Possible Outcomes and Practical Effects

Potential consequences depend on what happens next:

1. If the City of Jackson retains control:
   • Continued local revenue and decision-making over runways, terminals, and business deals.
2. If the state’s regional board takes over:
   • Supporters say the board could market the airport to a wider region and coordinate projects across county lines.
   • City concerns include reduced local revenue and less say over development priorities.

For passengers and airport businesses, the short term may bring uncertainty. Active construction and airline moves—like restroom upgrades and new routes—are intended to keep day-to-day service improving.

Timeline and Next Steps

• More court filings are expected through 2025 and beyond.
• Any appeals could extend the case further.
• After courts conclude, the FAA’s administrative review would need to approve any control shift, meaning no quick change in governance.
• Meanwhile, airport leaders say modernization will continue with an emphasis on safety, passenger comfort, and airline growth.

Stakeholders and What They Want

• Business owners: clear signals about long-term plans for terminals and cargo.
• Travelers: reliable flights and smooth facilities.
• Community advocates: racial and regional fairness in decision-making power.
• State officials: a broader market representation and regional coordination.

For official regulatory steps if a transfer proceeds, consult the FAA’s compliance resources linked above: https://www.faa.gov/airports/airport_compliance. City of Jackson leaders and the JMAA post public notices and meeting summaries, and court filings remain the formal record of the case’s progress.

For now, control remains with the city, improvements continue on the ground, and the legal fight over Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport is set to define airport governance in Mississippi for years to come.