The future of the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority remains in limbo.

The Lehigh County Board of Commissioners at the Dec. 9 meeting unanimously voted to table the authority’s request to extend its term of existence for another 50 years.

The authority operates and oversees Lehigh Valley International Airport.

Commissioner Michael Schware, who sponsored the amendment seeking to extend the authority’s term, said the board tabled the request to allow LNAA to schedule a meeting where the board and Northampton County Council could attend and discuss the extension.

Schware currently serves as a board member of LNAA. The authority consists of a 15-member board of governors. Each member is appointed by the Lehigh or Northampton county executives.

“The Lehigh County Board of Commissioners felt that it made more sense to move forward that way and perhaps set a model on how to proceed with other issues affecting both counties,” Schware said. “Ultimately, both our board and the Northampton County Council will have to schedule separate votes on the charter extension.”

LNAA has requested another 50-year extension of its charter. The authority said such an extension will provide it time to enter into a lease with a hanger tenant, as well as execute another agreement with a rental car company.

The authority needs Lehigh and Northampton counties to amend the articles to extend the term, which is set to expire in 2035.

“Both arrangements would need long-term agreements of 30 years, which is longer than is currently left on the LNAA charter,” Schware added.

At the Nov. 24 board meeting, Schware emphasized the purpose of the extension is to ensure the success of the airport.

The date, time and location of the meeting has not been determined yet.