Airports In New Orleans: How Many Are There?

New Orleans, Louisiana, has several airports in its metropolitan area. The primary commercial airport for the region is Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). This airport is located in Kenner City, 11 miles (18km) west of downtown New Orleans. It covers 1,500 acres (607 ha) of land and includes two runways and two helipads. In addition to Louis Armstrong Airport, there are several other airports in the New Orleans metropolitan area, including the Grand Isle Seaplane Base, Hammond Northshore Regional Airport, and St. Tammany Regional Airport.

Airports in New Orleans

New Orleans' primary airport

The airport is named after Louis Armstrong, a famous jazz musician and New Orleans native. It was originally known as Moisant Field, named after daredevil aviator John Moisant, who died in an airplane crash on the agricultural land where the airport now stands. The airport's IATA code, MSY, is derived from Moisant Stock Yards. The name was changed to New Orleans International Airport in 1961 and then to its current name in July 2001 to honour the 100th anniversary of Louis Armstrong's birth.

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport covers 1,500 acres of land and features two runways and two helipads. It is one of the world's lowest-lying international airports, sitting at just 4.5 feet above sea level. The airport is accessible via Interstate 10 and public transportation, with bus services provided by the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority Airport Express Route 202 and Jefferson Transit bus E-2.

The airport has a single terminal with three concourses labelled A, B, and C, and a total of 35 gates. International flights are processed through Concourse A, which contains customs facilities. The airport serves a variety of domestic and international destinations, including Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Cancún, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Seattle, and Washington, among others.

The history of Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport

New Orleans, Louisiana, is served by the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, which is located in Kenner City, Jefferson Parish, and is owned by the city of New Orleans. It is the primary commercial airport for the New Orleans metropolitan area and southeast Louisiana. The airport covers 1,500 acres of land and contains two runways and two helipads.

The history of the airport dates back to the 1940s when it became apparent that the older Shushan Airport (New Orleans Lakefront Airport) was too small. The new airport was originally named Moisant Field after daredevil aviator John Moisant, who died in 1910 in an airplane crash on the agricultural land where the airport is now located. Its IATA code, MSY, was derived from Moisant Stock Yards. During World War II, the land became a government airbase and returned to civil control after the war. Commercial service at Moisant Field began in May 1946, but the airport was shut down in September 1947 due to flooding caused by the 1947 Fort Lauderdale Hurricane.

In the late 1950s, a new terminal complex was constructed, featuring two sections (East and West) and four concourses (A, B, C, and D) with a total of 47 gates. The airport's name was changed to Moisant International Airport and then, in 1961, to New Orleans International Airport. The airport underwent expansions in the early 1970s, with the lengthening of the main terminal ticketing area, the construction of an airport access road, and the addition of Concourses A and B.

In July 1978, National Airlines began the first nonstop transatlantic flight from New Orleans to Amsterdam, with a stop in Tampa added less than a month later due to low demand. In 1981, British Airways inaugurated a flight from London's Gatwick Airport to Mexico City with a stop in New Orleans, but this service was discontinued in 1982 due to financial problems.

In July 2001, the airport was renamed Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport to honor the 100th anniversary of Louis Armstrong's birth. The airport suffered devastation from Hurricane Katrina in 2005 but gradually resumed operations, and a new record passenger count was set in 2015. In November 2019, a new $1.3 billion terminal building with two concourses and 35 gates opened, replacing the previous terminal complex.

New Orleans' secondary airports

New Orleans, Louisiana, is served by Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). The airport is located in Kenner City, Jefferson Parish, and is owned by the City of New Orleans. It is the primary commercial airport for the New Orleans metropolitan area and southeast Louisiana.

MSY is a large airport, covering 1,500 acres (607 ha) of land, with two runways and two helipads. It is also one of the world's lowest-lying international airports, at just 4.5 feet (1.4 m) above sea level. The airport has a long history, with plans for its construction dating back to 1940. It has undergone numerous expansions and renovations over the years, including the addition of new terminals, concourses, and gates. The airport is named after Louis Armstrong, a famous jazz musician and New Orleans native.

In addition to MSY, there are several secondary airports in the New Orleans metropolitan area. These include:

• Grand Isle Seaplane Base
• Hammond Northshore Regional Airport
• Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans
• Southern Seaplane Airport
• St. Charles Airport
• St. Tammany Regional Airport

These secondary airports provide additional aviation options for residents and visitors to the New Orleans area, particularly for those who may be travelling via private or charter flights, or seeking alternative transportation methods such as seaplanes.

Transport to/from the airport

New Orleans has one primary commercial airport: the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). The airport is 11 miles (18 km) west of downtown New Orleans and is accessible by road via I-10.

The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority Airport Express Route 202 and Jefferson Transit bus E-2 provide bus services between the airport and downtown New Orleans. The Airport Shuttle offers services to most hotels and hostels in the Central Business District of New Orleans.

The rental car facility is located on the south side of the airfield, next to the former terminal. SIXT is one of the car rental companies that operate at the airport.

Rideshare app users can be picked up from Level 1 of the Short Terminal Parking Garage. Exit through Door 6 from Level 1 – Baggage Claim.

Taxis are also available at the airport.

The airport's future plans

New Orleans has one primary commercial airport, the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY). The airport is located in Kenner City, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, and is owned by the city of New Orleans. It is the third lowest-lying international airport in the world, situated just 4.5 feet (1.4 m) above sea level.

The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport has undergone several expansions and improvements over the years, and future developments are already in the works. The airport's history of expansion demonstrates its adaptability to meet the evolving needs of aviation and passenger traffic.

Firstly, the airport has a plan to enhance its infrastructure. In December 2015, the New Orleans Aviation Board, along with the city's mayor and council, approved a $598 million project to construct a new terminal building on the airport's north side. This new terminal, designed by Argentine-American architect Cesar Pelli, was initially planned to have two concourses and 30 gates. However, during construction, the scope was expanded to include 35 gates. This expansion demonstrates the airport's proactive approach to accommodate increasing passenger numbers and improve the overall travel experience.

Secondly, the airport is committed to sustainability and environmental initiatives. With its low elevation, the airport is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and sea-level rise. As a result, future plans are likely to focus on enhancing the airport's resilience to flooding and other climate-related events. This may include investing in drainage systems, elevating critical infrastructure, and implementing sustainable water management practices.

Thirdly, technology and innovation will play a pivotal role in the airport's future. The airport has already implemented modern wind shear detection equipment, ensuring the safety of flights and passengers. Building on this, future plans may involve the integration of advanced technologies such as automated baggage handling systems, biometric identification for secure access, and the expansion of its MyTSA app capabilities, providing passengers with real-time updates on security wait times and other travel information.

Additionally, the airport has the opportunity to expand its route network and attract new airlines. With the completion of the new terminal, the airport can accommodate more flights and destinations, enhancing New Orleans' connectivity to the world. This may include attracting more international carriers, particularly from Europe and Asia, to establish direct routes to New Orleans, making it a more accessible global destination.

Lastly, the airport has the potential to develop its surrounding areas, creating an airport city or an aviation-oriented business district. This could involve the establishment of hotels, conference centres, office spaces, and logistics hubs in the vicinity of the airport. Such development would not only enhance the airport's revenue streams but also contribute to the economic growth of the region, creating new jobs and business opportunities for the community.

The future looks bright for the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, with expansion, sustainability, technology, route development, and economic growth driving its progress. These plans will ensure that the airport remains a world-class gateway to the vibrant city of New Orleans.

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