Airport News
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is set to build a new state-of-the-art terminal on the north side the airport
Mayor Mitch Landrieu and the New Orleans Aviation Board announced the plans yesterday.
The announcement comes less than two years after the Mayor asked the Aviation Board to undertake an in-depth analysis of four proposals for the future of the airport.
The current airport terminal is more than 50 years old, and its infrastructure and set up have driven operational costs to high, unsustainable levels, MSY said.
The existing terminal also generates “relatively low revenue” from parking and concessions.
Mayor Landrieu said: “This airport serves as a gateway to millions of tourists and business travellers each year and is a critical driver for the creation of jobs and economic development.
“Creating a new, modern airport is integral to our success as a world-class travel destination and hub for commerce.
“It makes economic sense and will create more than 13,000 jobs in construction.
“Recently, significant progress has been made to improve the air service, facilities and customer experience at the airport.
“But this option provides us the ability to build on these improvements and create the world-class airport that this city deserves.”
A team of airport consultants has evaluated four different alternatives – refurbishment of the existing terminal, expansion on the south side, a new terminal on the west side, and a new terminal on the north side.
Each of these options would allow continued use of the current runways and would be located within the airport’s existing property footprint.
The north side terminal project will cost approximately $650 million with possible additions including a $72 million power plant project, $87 million for a flyover to improve access to the airport, and $17 million for a potential on-site hotel.
The total cost is estimated at $826 million. Pending completion of environmental reviews, construction is expected to commence in 2014, with completion in 2018.
