Roberta Aguirre
Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport (IATA: BTR, ICAO: KBTR, FAA LID: BTR), also known as Ryan Field, is a public-use airport located four miles north of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It is a mixed-use airport with commercial, transient, and local GA, air taxi, and military aircraft operations. The airport was originally called Harding Field and was used by the United States Army Air Forces Technical Service Command as a maintenance and supply base during World War II. It was leased to the U.S. government in 1940 and officially named Harding Field in 1942. After the war, it became a public airport for civilian use in 1948 under the US Surplus Act of 1944. Today, it is the second-largest airport in Louisiana, serving over 762,000 travelers annually.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport |
| IATA | BTR |
| ICAO | KBTR |
| FAA LID | BTR |
| Former Name | Harding Field |
| Location | 4 miles (7 km) north of the central business district of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States |
| Owner | Publicly owned |
| Main Airlines | American, Delta, and United |
| Passenger Volume | 762,000+ annually |
| Economic Impact | $1 billion+ annually |
| Art Installation | Art-o-mat vending machine |
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What You'll Learn
- The airport is public use, owned by the US government
- It was originally Harding Field, named after Lt. William Harding
- It was used by the US Army Air Force during World War II
- The airport is the second-largest in Louisiana by passenger volume
- It is also used by the Louisiana State Police Air Support Unit
The airport is public use, owned by the US government
The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, also known as Ryan Field, is a public-use airport located four miles (7 km) north of Baton Rouge's central business district in Louisiana, United States. The airport was originally called Harding Field, named after Lieutenant William Harding, a distinguished pilot and Olympian from Shreveport, Louisiana, who died in a plane crash in 1936.
During World War II, the airport was leased to the US government and used as an Army Airbase by the United States Army Air Forces Technical Service Command. It served as a maintenance and supply base and was also used for training pilots to fly P-47 Thunderbolts.
Following the war, in August 1948, Harding Field was transferred to civilian use under the US Surplus Act of 1944. The Act aimed to encourage the development of civil aviation and maintain a strong, efficient, and well-maintained system of public airports for national defence purposes. As a result, the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport became a public airport serving the Baton Rouge Metropolitan area.
Today, the airport is still public use and owned by the US government, accommodating over 800,000 passengers annually and contributing significantly to the local economy.
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It was originally Harding Field, named after Lt. William Harding
The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, also known as Ryan Field, was originally called Harding Field, named after Lt. William Harding, a distinguished pilot and Olympian from Shreveport, Louisiana. Harding Field was used by the United States Army Air Forces Technical Service Command as a maintenance and supply base during World War II. It was also a training ground for pilots, who were trained to fly P-47 Thunderbolts, P-40 Warhawks, P-39 Airacobras, A-36 Apaches, and B-26 Marauders. The airport played a significant role in the local economy, with base operations relying on supplies purchased from local businesses.
Harding Field officially received its name on January 22, 1942, during World War II. The site was chosen due to its strategic location for defending the refineries on the Mississippi River. The U.S. Army leased the airport from East Baton Rouge Parish, and it served as an Army Airbase.
Lieutenant William Harding, whom the airfield was named after, was a notable figure. He was a skilled pilot and had represented Louisiana as an Olympian. Sadly, he perished in a plane crash during war games in August 1936. His legacy lived on through the naming of Harding Field, which honoured his contributions and sacrifice.
During its time as Harding Field, the airport played a crucial role in training pilots and supporting the war effort. One notable trainee was Quentin Aanenson, who survived the war and later appeared in Ken Burns' documentary "The War," sharing his experiences at Harding Field and beyond. The training was not without its risks, as the documentary highlighted the tragic deaths of five members out of a group of 40 trainees.
In August 1948, under the US Surplus Act of 1944, Harding Field transitioned into a public airport for civilian use, serving the Baton Rouge Metropolitan area. This shift marked a new chapter in the airport's history, now known as the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, catering to civilian travel and commerce.
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It was used by the US Army Air Force during World War II
The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, also known as Ryan Field, is a public airport located four miles (7 km) north of the central business district of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The airport was originally called Harding Field during World War II and was used by the US Army Air Force.
The US Army leased the airport from the local government in December 1940, as the war in Europe created a need for more airfields in the South. The Baton Rouge airfield was in a strategic location for defending the refineries on the Mississippi River, and construction had already begun. The airport was officially named Harding Field on January 22, 1942, after Lieutenant William Harding, a Louisiana native and distinguished pilot who died in a plane crash in 1936.
During World War II, the airport served as a maintenance and supply base for the US Army Air Forces Technical Service Command. It was also used for training pilots to fly P-47 Thunderbolts. The training was dangerous, and five out of 40 trainees in one group died before seeing combat overseas. Other aircraft used at Harding Field included P-40 Warhawks, P-39 Airacobras, A-36 Apaches, and B-26 Marauders.
After the war, in August 1948, Harding Field was converted into a public airport for civilian use under the US Surplus Act of 1944. This act aimed to encourage the development of civil aviation while preserving a strong and efficient system of public airports for national defense. The airport is now an agency of the City-Parish Government but operates as an enterprise fund, generating its own revenues. It serves an MSA of over 830,000 people and has an annual economic impact exceeding $1 billion.
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The airport is the second-largest in Louisiana by passenger volume
The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, also known as Ryan Field, is a public airport located four miles north of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It is ranked as the second-largest airport in Louisiana by passenger volume, serving over 762,000 travellers annually. The airport has a rich history, as it was originally called Harding Field during World War II and served as a maintenance and supply base for the United States Army Air Forces Technical Service Command. It was also used for training pilots to fly P-47 Thunderbolts.
Despite being classified as a small hub by the FAA, with slightly over 800,000 passengers per year, the airport has a significant impact on the local economy. It contributes over $1 billion annually to the Baton Rouge area and offers convenient access to major airlines such as American, Delta, and United. The airport also provides connections to some of the largest hub airports in the United States, allowing for worldwide travel.
Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport offers nonstop connectivity to destinations such as Washington, D.C., and played a crucial role in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, experiencing an expansion of its destination portfolio. The airport is also home to an Art-o-mat, a unique art vending machine that adds to the traveller experience.
The airport's cargo facility is currently undergoing expansion, and it serves an MSA of over 830,000 people, with a potential catchment area of approximately 1.7 million in south Louisiana and southwest Mississippi. With its convenient location and efficient service, the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport plays a vital role in connecting the city and its surrounding areas to the world.
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It is also used by the Louisiana State Police Air Support Unit
The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, also known as Ryan Field, is a public airport located four miles (7 km) north of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It is the second-largest airport in Louisiana by passenger volume, serving over 800,000 passengers per year. The airport is primarily used by major airlines such as Delta, American, and United, offering connections to major hubs across the United States and worldwide.
The airport is also utilised by the Louisiana State Police Air Support Unit as its main airport. The Air Support Unit's mission is to enhance public safety across Louisiana by providing aerial assistance to the Louisiana State Police and other law enforcement agencies in the state. The Unit aims to offer timely and dependable air support to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies upon request.
The Air Support Unit's fleet consists of six airplanes and nine helicopters, all equipped with advanced technology such as Night Vision Goggles (NVG), Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) cameras, and powerful searchlights. These aircraft are stationed at the Unit's Operations Bases for quick deployment, with pilots strategically positioned in Baton Rouge and Alexandria. The pilots are highly trained and experienced, holding dual ratings from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate both rotary and fixed-wing aircraft.
The Louisiana State Police Air Support Unit conducts a diverse range of missions, including dignitary transportation, disaster relief, criminal surveillance, photo reconnaissance, marijuana eradication, and various emergency response operations. The Unit's capabilities, combined with the expertise of its pilots, ensure a swift response to critical incidents, minimising response times and enhancing efficiency in serving the citizens of Louisiana.
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Frequently asked questions
The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, also known as Ryan Field, is a public airport. It is located four miles north of the central business district of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The airport is ranked the second-largest in Louisiana by passenger volume, serving over 762,000 passengers annually. However, it is slightly smaller than expected for a city of its size due to its proximity to New Orleans' Armstrong International Airport.
The airport is served by major airlines such as American, Delta, and United. It also has a history of being served by various other airlines, including Continental Airlines (now United Airlines) and Eastern Airlines.
The airport has an annual economic impact exceeding $1 billion. It is an important gateway to Baton Rouge, the Louisiana State Capitol, and plays a vital role in connecting the city to other major hubs across the United States.
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