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Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (IATA: MSY, ICAO: KMSY, FAA LID: MSY) is an international airport in the City of Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States. The IATA code MSY was derived from Moisant Stock Yards, as the land where the airport is located was previously used as an airfield by daredevil aviator John Moisant, who died in 1910 in an airplane crash.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport |
| IATA Code | MSY |
| ICAO | KMSY |
| FAA LID | MSY |
| Location | City of Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States |
| Owner | City of New Orleans |
| Distance from downtown New Orleans | 11 miles |
| Area | 1,500 acres |
| Number of runways | 2 |
| Number of helipads | 2 |
| Height above sea level | 4.5 feet |
| Former name | Moisant Field |
| Renamed | August 2001 |
| Reason for renaming | To honour the 100th anniversary of Louis Armstrong's birth |
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What You'll Learn
- The airport's IATA code, MSY, is derived from Moisant Stock Yards
- The airport was originally named after daredevil aviator John Moisant
- The airport's name was changed to honour Louis Armstrong in 2001
- The airport is owned by the City of New Orleans
- MSY is one of the world's lowest-lying international airports
The airport's IATA code, MSY, is derived from Moisant Stock Yards
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, located in the City of Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, is owned by the City of New Orleans and is 11 miles (18 km) west of downtown New Orleans. The airport's IATA code, MSY, is derived from Moisant Stock Yards. The airport was originally named Moisant Field after daredevil aviator John Bevins Moisant, who died in 1910 in an airplane crash on the agricultural land where the airport now stands.
John Bevins Moisant was born in Kankakee, Illinois, to French-Canadian immigrant parents but lived in El Salvador for around a decade. In 1909, he went to France to investigate airplanes at the request of José Santos Zelaya, President of El Salvador. He attended the Reims Air Meeting in France and became fascinated with aviation, taking flying lessons and starting his short but remarkable aviation career. John won several races and contests, and most notably, he built and flew the first aluminium all-metal frame aircraft in 1909 and piloted the first flight with passengers across the English Channel in 1910.
The land for Moisant Field was taken over by the US government during World War II for use as an air base. The facilities were returned to the City of New Orleans in 1946, and commercial air service began at Moisant Field that May. In 1959, a new terminal and two new concourses were constructed, and the airport's name was officially changed to New Orleans International Airport in 1960. The airport has since been renamed Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport to honour the famous native-born musician.
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The airport was originally named after daredevil aviator John Moisant
The airport now known as Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport has the code MSY. The original airport was named Moisant Field, after the daredevil early aviator John Moisant. John Moisant was a famous aviator and aircraft designer, known for his daring stunts and contributions to early aviation. He was a true pioneer, and his name was given to the airport to honor his memory and achievements.
Moisant was an American aviator of French descent, born in 1868. He was a true adventurer and entrepreneur, with a passion for aviation and a talent for stunt flying. He learned to fly in France and soon became renowned for his aerial exploits, including a famous flight over Paris in 1909, where he flew with his sister, the first female passenger. He was also a successful businessman, designing and selling aircraft, and even starting an early aviation school.
His fame grew, and he became known as a true aviation pioneer, one of the first celebrities of flight. He was a regular participant in air shows and flying competitions, often wowing crowds with his daring maneuvers. One of his most famous achievements was a record-breaking non-stop flight from Paris to London in 1910, a feat that brought him international acclaim.
Sadly, his life was cut short in a crash at an air show in New Orleans in 1910. The aircraft he was flying suffered a structural failure, and he was killed instantly. His death shocked the world and he became a martyr for the cause of aviation. As a result, the new airport in New Orleans, which was opened in 1918, was named Moisant Field in his honor, recognizing his contribution to the world of flight and his impact on the city of New Orleans.
The airport's code, MSY, is a direct link to its original name, Moisant Field, with the letters being a simple abbreviation. The airport has since been renamed to honor another famous New Orleans resident, the musician Louis Armstrong, but the airport's original name and its code continue to keep the memory of John Moisant alive. His legacy, and that of his sister, is an important part of aviation history, and their impact on the development of flight is still felt today.
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The airport's name was changed to honour Louis Armstrong in 2001
The airport now known as the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport was originally named Moisant Field, after aviation pioneer John Bevins Moisant. Moisant was a daredevil aviator who died in 1910 in an airplane crash on the agricultural land where the airport is now located. The airport's IATA code, MSY, was derived from Moisant Stock Yards.
In 1946, commercial air service began at Moisant Field, and by 1947, the airport was considered one of the largest commercial airports in the nation. In 1960, the official name of the airport was changed from Moisant Field to New Orleans International Airport. The airport underwent several expansions over the years, including the addition of new concourses and terminals.
In August 2001, the airport's name was changed again to honour the 100th anniversary of Louis Armstrong's birth. Armstrong was a famous native-born musician from New Orleans. The new name, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, reflects the city's appreciation for Armstrong's musical legacy and his contribution to the culture of New Orleans.
The airport is located in the City of Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, and is owned by the City of New Orleans. It is the primary commercial airport serving the New Orleans metropolitan area and southeast Louisiana, offering nonstop service to around sixty destinations worldwide.
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The airport is owned by the City of New Orleans
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (IATA: MSY) is owned by the City of New Orleans. The airport is located in the City of Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, and is 11 miles (18 km) west of downtown New Orleans.
The airport was originally named Moisant Field, after daredevil aviator John Moisant (full name: John Bevins Moisant). Moisant died in 1910 in an airplane crash on the agricultural land where the airport is now located. The IATA code MSY was derived from Moisant Stock Yards, as Lakefront Airport retained the code NEW.
In the mid-1930s, the City of New Orleans realised that its municipal airport on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain was no longer large enough to meet the city's growing aviation needs. The expansion of the lakefront facilities was deemed too expensive, so the city coordinated with the Civil Aviation Authority (now the Federal Aviation Administration) to establish a new airport. The land for Moisant Field was taken over by the US government during World War II for use as an air base. After the war, in 1946, the federal government returned the land to the City of New Orleans, and commercial air service began at Moisant Field.
In 1960, the airport's name was officially changed from Moisant Field to New Orleans International Airport. In 2001, the airport was renamed Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport to honour the 100th anniversary of the famous native-born musician's birth. The airport covers 1,500 acres (607 ha) of land and includes two runways and two helipads. It is the primary commercial airport for the New Orleans metropolitan area and southeast Louisiana, offering nonstop service to around 60 destinations worldwide.
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MSY is one of the world's lowest-lying international airports
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, commonly known as MSY Airport, is one of the world's lowest-lying international airports. At an average of 4.5 feet (1.4 m) above sea level, it is the third lowest-lying international airport in the world. Only Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in the Netherlands, which is 11 feet (3.4 m) below sea level, and Atyrau International Airport in Kazakhstan, which is 72 feet (22 m) below sea level, are lower.
MSY Airport's low elevation is a result of its location in the flat, coastal plains of southeastern Louisiana. The airport is located in the city of Kenner, in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, just 11 miles (18 km) west of downtown New Orleans. The region's flat topography and proximity to the Gulf of Mexico contribute to its low elevation.
The airport's location in a low-lying area has presented challenges over the years. In September 1947, the airport was shut down as it was submerged under two feet of water following the 1947 Fort Lauderdale Hurricane. More recently, in 2005, the airport was severely impacted by Hurricane Katrina, which caused extensive flooding and damage to the region.
Despite these challenges, MSY Airport has become a major transportation hub for the New Orleans area and southeastern Louisiana. It is the primary commercial airport for the region, offering nonstop service to around 60 destinations, including Europe, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The airport covers 1,500 acres (607 hectares) of land and features two runways and two helipads.
The unique characteristics of MSY Airport's location, including its low elevation, have played a role in shaping its history and development. The airport's proximity to the city of New Orleans and its position along the Gulf Coast have contributed to its importance as a transportation gateway for the region.
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Frequently asked questions
The IATA code MSY is derived from Moisant Stock Yards, the name given to the land where the airport was built. The airport was originally named after daredevil aviator John Moisant, who died in 1910 in an airplane crash on the agricultural land where the airport now stands.
The airport was renamed in 2001 to honour the 100th anniversary of the famous native-born musician's birth.
In the mid-1930s, the City of New Orleans recognised that the municipal airport located on the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain was insufficient to meet the city's growing aviation needs. The land for Moisant Field was taken over by the US government during World War II for use as an air base. The federal government returned the land to the City of New Orleans in 1946, and commercial air service began operating at Moisant Field that same year.
