by Brianna Crandall — January 28, 2013—New Orleans Mayor Mitchell J. Landrieu, airport and regional officials unveiled more than $300 million in improvements at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport on January 15, in time for the upcoming Super Bowl XLVII and Mardi Gras activities. The improvements are part of an Airport Modernization Program that includes a new and bright interior with a refurbished ticket lobby, expanded concourse, improved baggage claim, remodeled restrooms, updated exterior, a new car rental facility, and new retail and restaurant offerings.
As many may recall, the airport was closed to commercial air traffic for just over two weeks in 2005 due to Hurricane Katrina and the ensuing floods. The airport itself suffered “no significant airfield damage and had no standing water in aircraft movement areas” according to an Associated Press article August 31, although the facility did sustain “damage to its roofs, hangars and fencing.” The airport has come close to reclaiming its pre-Katrina volume of traffic, with well over 8.5 million passengers traveling through the airport in 2012, and the city hopes that these improvements will attract an even greater number of passengers than before.
“The Louis Armstrong International Airport is the front door to our city for millions of tourists and business travelers each year, so it’s critical that we provide them with a better quality experience more consistent with the hospitality our city and region are known for,” said Mayor Landrieu. “These are necessary improvements that will help sustain the airport for several years. And with the Super Bowl XLVII putting New Orleans on the world stage, the timing couldn’t be better.”
Completed improvements include:
- Addition of six gates with new concession and restroom space on Concourse D;
- New aircraft rescue and firefighting station;
- Complete rehabilitation of older restrooms and upgrades to newer restrooms;
- New flat panel monitors to display flight information;
- Consolidated rental car facility for all agencies within walking distance to terminal;
- New window walls and improved lighting in ticket lobby;
- Upper and lower roadway improvements;
- New passenger loading bridges for airline gates;
- Terminal and Baggage Claim improvements;
- New overhead roadway signage;
- Runway 10-28 approach lights realignment; and
- New taxiway created from unused general aviation runway.
The improvements include a new in-airport TV network called ClearVision, which will have television programming and a welcome message from Mayor Landrieu. Airport upgrades also include new plant scaping, furniture, reupholstered gate seating, new carpet, expanded checkpoints, and decorative accents. Southwest Airline is renovating Concourse B, and the State of Louisiana is repaving the airport access road.
