Lois Larson
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is an international airport owned by the City of New Orleans. In 2015, the New Orleans Aviation Board approved a $598 million plan to build a new terminal building, which opened in 2019 at a cost of $1.3 billion. The airport has a history of sinking, which has posed safety risks and required extensive maintenance. The new terminal building was constructed on specialised pilings driven into the bedrock to prevent sinking, but the surrounding airfield continues to sink at a concerning rate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the airport | Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport |
| IATA code | MSY |
| ICAO code | KMSY |
| FAA LID | MSY |
| Owner | City of New Orleans |
| Location | 11 miles (18 km) west of downtown New Orleans |
| Area | 1,500 acres (607 ha) |
| Number of runways | 2 |
| Number of helipads | 2 |
| Height above sea level | 4.5 feet (1.4 m) |
| Terminal building cost | $1.3 billion |
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What You'll Learn
The airport is owned by the City of New Orleans
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is owned by the City of New Orleans. It is located in the City of Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, and is about 11 miles (18 km) west of downtown New Orleans.
The airport has a long history, with plans for its development dating back to the 1940s. It was originally named Moisant Field after daredevil aviator John Moisant, who died in an airplane crash at the site in 1910. Commercial services at the airport commenced in May 1946, and the airport underwent several name changes and expansions over the years.
In 2015, the New Orleans Aviation Board, along with the City Council and Mayor Mitch Landrieu, approved a $598 million plan to build a new terminal with two concourses and 30 gates. The project's scope was later expanded to include 35 gates, and the new terminal opened in November 2019 at a cost of $1.3 billion.
The airport has received recognition for its services, including being awarded the Best Airport in North America (5 to 15 million passengers per year) by the Airports Council International (ACI) World in 2024. However, it has also faced challenges, such as the sinking phenomenon affecting parts of the airport grounds, which has required significant maintenance efforts and investments.
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The airport's name and IATA code honour John Moisant
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, located in the City of Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, was originally named Moisant Field after daredevil aviator John Moisant. John Moisant died in 1910 in an airplane crash on the very land where the airport is now located. The airport's IATA code, MSY, was derived from the Moisant Stock Yards.
John Bevins Moisant was an aviation pioneer. The airport was renamed in 2001 to honour the 100th birthday of Louis Armstrong, a famous native-born musician. However, the IATA code remained MSY, honouring Moisant's legacy and his contribution to aviation history.
The airport has undergone several name changes over the years. It was originally named Moisant Field, then renamed Moisant International Airport in 1959, followed by New Orleans International Airport in 1961. In 2001, it was renamed Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.
The airport has experienced significant growth and expansion over time, including the addition of new terminals, concourses, and gates. It is currently the primary commercial airport for the New Orleans metropolitan area and southeast Louisiana, offering nonstop service to approximately 60 destinations worldwide.
Despite the name changes, the airport's IATA code, MSY, continues to pay homage to John Moisant, recognising his pivotal role in the history of aviation.
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The airport's 1959 terminal was designed by Goldstein, Parham and Labouisse
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport has undergone several transformations since its early days as Moisant Field, an air base during World War II. The airport's original terminal in the post-war years was a large, makeshift hangar-like building. However, by the 1950s, the airport, now known as Moisant International Airport, underwent significant changes under the leadership of airport director Junius Wallace Jones. This period witnessed a rapid evolution in civil aviation, prompting numerous improvements to the airport.
In 1959, towards the end of Mayor DeLesseps "Chep" Morrison's administration, a new terminal complex was unveiled. This terminal, designed by the New Orleans architectural firms of Goldstein, Parham and Labouisse, in collaboration with Benson and Riehl, represented a significant upgrade. The new structure was a three-level, concrete, steel and glass building, ten times the size of the original facility. It boasted 800 parking spaces, addressing the growing concern for parking at the airport. The terminal symbolised New Orleans' embrace of the "Jet Age" and its commitment to progress.
The 1959 terminal featured two sections, East and West, connected by a central ticketing alley and baggage claim. Over time, the terminal underwent expansions, with the addition of concourses and gates. The original two concourses from 1959 were renamed Concourse C and Concourse D, with the latter being expanded in the 1990s to accommodate widebody aircraft. The 1959 terminal complex also included a striking parabola dome structure, which became an iconic feature.
The 1959 terminal served the airport for decades, but by the 2010s, a replacement was deemed necessary due to the airport's sinking issue. The new terminal, which opened in 2019, addressed the sinking problem and introduced modern enhancements to improve travel experiences. While the former terminal is no longer in regular commercial use, some portions, including the parabola dome, have been preserved and will be repurposed.
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The airport received a $1.3 billion terminal in 2019
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) received a $1.3 billion terminal in 2019. The new terminal, which opened in November 2019, is located on the north side of the airport property and was designed by Argentine-American architect Cesar Pelli. The construction of the new terminal began in January 2016 and was part of an airport expansion program. The terminal features two concourses and 35 gates, with a total of 35 gates across three concourses.
The new terminal replaced the previous South Terminal, which had served passengers for over 60 years before closing in 2019. The new terminal is built on specialized pilings driven into the bedrock to prevent it from sinking, as the airport is located in an area prone to subsidence. The $1 billion project included enhancements such as in-line baggage screening, a consolidated security checkpoint, a 2,200-car parking garage, and additional concession options.
The airport, owned by the City of New Orleans, is located in the City of Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, and is the primary commercial airport for the New Orleans metropolitan area and southeast Louisiana. It offers nonstop service to around 60 destinations, including Europe, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The new terminal received early rave reviews, and the airport was ranked #44 out of the nation's 50 busiest airports.
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The airport has sunk at a concerning rate since 2019
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is owned by the City of New Orleans. The airport is located in the City of Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, and is approximately 11 miles (18 km) west of downtown New Orleans.
The airport has been sinking at an alarming rate since 2019, despite the construction of a new terminal building that cost $1.1 billion. The terminal building, which opened in November 2019, was built on specialised pilings driven into the bedrock to prevent it from sinking. Unfortunately, the surrounding airfield does not have the same level of support, resulting in the airport's continued sinking. This phenomenon of differential settlement, where parts of the airport ground move at different rates, poses a serious safety risk to flight operations.
The sinking issue has been a known problem for several years, and the airport has already spent over half a million dollars in the last five years on maintenance due to the sinking. The city's decision to build a new terminal in a "'sinking' city" has been questioned by many, including Loyola English professor Christopher Schaberg, who wrote an article titled "A world-class airport for the end of the world." Schaberg's piece highlights the precariousness of investing in airports in a world where climate change is an increasing concern.
The airport's sinking has been evident to those who work there and passengers alike. One employee at the airport confirmed the issue, stating that "you can see the sinkage when walking along certain areas." Another person commented that the new MSY is "sinking in a lot of places," and that parking planes for too long on the sinking side causes damage.
The City of New Orleans and airport officials must address this issue promptly to ensure the safety of flight operations and travellers passing through the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
The City of New Orleans.
The new terminal, which cost $1.3 billion, was approved by the New Orleans Aviation Board, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, and the City Council.
Argentine-American architect Cesar Pelli.
November 2019.
MSY, derived from Moisant Stock Yards.
