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New Orleans Lakefront Airport: Post Katrina
On February 10, 1934 New Orleans Lakefront Airport came into existence and was nicknamed “the Air Hub of the Americas.” The airport was built next to the Industrial Canal, on a man-made peninsula jutting into Lake Pontchartrain. To make land available for this elaborate project, the Orleans Levee Board used a 10,000 foot retaining wall into the lake and used over six million cubic yards of fill to raise the airport above the water. 18R is the main runway, with a length of 6,895 it is routinely used by Boeing 737’s, C-130’s, and on occassion C-17’s and C-5’s. It is located eight miles east of New Orleans International. New Orleans Lakefront Airport remains the busiest General Aviation airport in Louisiana, even post Katrina.
The airport suffered damage of elephantine proportions due to an immense 18 to 20 ft. storm surge during Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. To date, the airport is still being reconstructed no thanks to FEMA who is delaying any real progress while they decide if a building is worth salvaging or tearing down. The airport is several years from being anywhere near Pre-Katrina status. Several hangars had to be torn down and others sustained massive damage. Million Air is now operating out of a portable trailer as well as Flightline First, while they try and reconstruct their facilities. It has been a slow, painful ongoing process still years away from completion.
The damage is not scaring away many corporate high rollers. The airport houses everything from Gulfstream’s to Cessna 150’s on a daily basis. The historic terminal building once contained two restaurants, lounges, the Governor’s office, casino and flight schools. If you look at it today, it is a painful eye sore. The hurricane picked it apart. The terminal is scheduled to start renovation in late 2008.
I will continue to post updates on the airport’s progress.
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