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Airports are expected to issue almost $19 billion of additional debt over the next two years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that the Dallas City Council in Texas will increase the aircraft landing fees at Love Field on April 1, 2006. The increase will enable the airport to pay debt service fees on revenue bonds issued in 2001. It will also stabilize the airport's finances. Moody's Investors Service supported the fee increase and affirmed its rating on the airport's debt.

Reports on the impending issuance of non-alternative minimum tax bonds by Chicago, Illinois following the agreement of airlines that operate at O'Hare International Airport to share annual surplus landing fees. Terms of the agreement; Factors that could give O'Hare an added edge over upcoming airport transactions; Reaction of the bond market to the developments.

Reports on factors contributing to the increase in Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority's 2004 operating revenue. Percentage increase in passenger traffic at Washington Dulles International Airport and at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport; Enplanement figures of both airports; Relation of landing fee increase to the cost of managing increased aircraft parking positions at Dulles and the cost of airfield perimeter fencing at National.

The article presents information that Airport finances remain resilient despite the financial turmoil of the airline industry, although median airport operating expenses have outpaced median operating revenues over roughly the last four years. Over the four-year period, median airport operating revenue increased at a 7.8% average annual rate, while median operating expenses grew by a 9.5% average annual rate. The analysts warned that airports may still feel financial pressure from fiscally weak airlines because air careers pay rent and landing fees to airports that are typically pledged to pay off tax-exempt bonds used to finance airport improvements and expansions.