A bleed air system is disclosed for a turbofan engine having a bypass duct. The bleed air system includes a bleed air conduit having an inlet end connected to the bypass duct and a bleed air flow control valve disposed downstream of the inlet end, and a louver assembly disposed within the opening at inlet end of the bleed air conduit. The louver assembly includes an airfoil-shaped louver blade which extends across the opening in a direction transverse to the flow direction within the bypass duct. A reinforcing rib is attached to the louver blade and extends across the louver assembly in a direction generally parallel to the flow direction.