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Go Away Gustav!
I really dislike hurricanes! After living a month without electricity because of dear old Katrina, you can imagine how I feel about Gustav making his way into the Gulf of Mexico. This means no flying for a while… possibly a long while. I pray for all my fellow New Orleanians!
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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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AeroPremier Jet Center
Lakefront Airport in New Orleans, Louisiana is the brand new recipient of a third FBO by the name of AeroPremier Jet Center. Before Hurricane Katrina struck the city in late August 2005, the airport consisted of three FBO’s; Million Air, Atlantic Aviation and Aviaport. Million Air was the first to be up and running, Atlantic decided against rebuilding and focused on their KMSY base. Aviaport returned in February 2006 and lasted six months before turning in the towel.
Million Air has been the dominant FBO and still is to date, but in late 2007 a competitor by the name of Flightline First opened up and began to gain customers right away. To date, they attract approximately 20% of the traffic that comes to the airport.
AeroPremier is going to be the newest kid on the block, but are backed by experienced aviation professionals including a Captain for American Airlines with an FBO management background of many years. Their location on the field is the furthest away from the large active runway which appears to be their only downfall, but they have some things to offer that may appeal to corporate operators which I will list below.
The facility is the largest in the state of Louisiana. Two buildings are now being leased by AeroPremier; the McDermott hangar (previously used by Atlantic Aviation) and the former National Guard building. The McDermott building is complete. The National Guard building will begin renovation next month. Initially, the McDermott building will be the main base of operation and will offer 8,000 square feet of office space. Once the Guard building is completed, 32,000 square feet of more office space will be available, totaling 40,000 square feet of office space between both. The hangar portion of the Guard building will be utilized during it’s renovation for large aircraft totaling 50,000 square feet of space for aircraft.
McDermott Building
The National Guard Building
Aside from hangar space, adequate ramp space and tie downs will be available.
Maintenance will be a premier service of AeroPremier and so will their charter company. Mechanics will be available around the clock and on-call 24/7. The President of the company stated they will begin buying aircraft soon to initiate the charter. Their closest competitor is Flightline First, which operates a King Air BE200 and they are limited as to who they fly because of a pending a Part 135 certificate. This may give AeroPremier the advantage if they can get a fleet of airplanes and a line of pilots together quickly.
AeroPremier will open June 1st, 2008.
Before you get into flight deals, you should know that while on the flights, it is important to abide by the airlines instructions. This is equally applicable to las vegas flights as well as the flights to india.
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