Brief

Los Angeles World Airports initiated a resolution to amend an existing agreement with Merchant Aviation LLC, a commercial aviation operator. The amendment was referred to the Trade, Travel, and Tourism Committee in March 2026, approved by committee in April, and adopted by City Council on May 1, 2026 by a vote of 10-0-5. The resolution became final on May 5, 2026.

Full summary

This matter approves a second amendment to a consulting agreement between Los Angeles World Airports and Merchant Aviation LLC, a firm providing air service development consulting services at LAX and other LAWA facilities. The amendment extends the contract term through October 5, 2029 and adds $650,400 in contract authority, bringing the total contract value to a not-to-exceed amount of $1,250,400. The Board of Airport Commissioners determined the action is administratively exempt from CEQA review. The amendment authorizes the LAWA Chief Executive Officer, or a designee, to execute the amended agreement on the city's behalf. According to the Board of Airport Commissioners, the costs incurred under the contract will be recovered through terminal rates and charges rather than direct city funds, meaning airlines and airport tenants effectively bear the cost. Neither the City Administrative Officer nor the City Legislative Analyst completed an independent financial analysis before the Council vote. The file originated with a LAWA submission on March 12, 2026, and was referred to the Trade, Travel, and Tourism Committee. The committee took up the item on April 14, 2026, where Council Members Park and McOsker voted yes and Rodriguez was absent. The committee forwarded the item to the full Council, which adopted it 10-0-5 on May 1, 2026. The action became final on May 5, 2026, and the file is now closed.

Activity (7)

• 2026-05-05 Council action final.
• 2026-05-01 Council adopted item, subject to reconsideration, pursuant to Council Rule 51.
• 2026-04-28 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on May 1, 2026.
• 2026-04-14 Trade, Travel, and Tourism Committee approved item(s) .
• 2026-04-10 Trade, Travel, and Tourism Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on April 14, 2026.
• 2026-03-13 Board of Airport Commissioners document(s) referred to Trade, Travel, and Tourism Committee.
• 2026-03-12 Document submitted by Los Angeles World Airports, dated March 12, 2026.

Documents (9)

• 2026-05-05 Council Action · council_action
• 2026-05-01 Speaker Card(s) · speaker_card
• 2026-04-14 Report from Trade, Travel, and Tourism Committee · report
• 2026-04-14 Speaker Card(s) · speaker_card
• 2026-03-12 Report from Los Angeles World Airports · report
• 2026-03-12 Attachment to Report dated 3-12-26 - Board Report · attachment
• 2026-03-12 Attachment to Report dated 3-12-26 - Resolution · attachment
• 2026-03-12 Attachment to Report dated 3-12-26 - Agreement · attachment
• 2026-03-12 Attachment to Report dated 3-12-26 - Mayor Cover Letter · attachment