Mississippi airport board plans 12-day Paris trip; public money to pay their way

Published 10:26 am Saturday, May 11, 2019

Commissioners of a Mississippi airport and five of the airport’s staff members are planning a 12-day trip in June to attend the International Paris Air Show, at public expense.

The Clarion Ledger reports the trip could cost about $50,000 for travel, lodging and other expenses.

The trip received unanimous approval from the five Jackson Municipal Airport Authority commissioners at a board meeting March 25, the day before the airport CEO resigned. The board governs Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport.

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Minutes of the meeting describe the trip as “extremely beneficial for the authority,” but didn’t point to deals the commission might be considering.

Jackson City Council member Ashby Foote said the trip sounds like a junket.

Some state lawmakers have been trying to add suburban representatives to the airport board.