Improvements Will Create 6,300 Jobs

Officials of Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport announced plans Wednesday for a dozen improvement projects stretching over the next three years in Kenner costing more than $357 million and which will create more than 6,300 jobs.

The projects, ranging from expanded terminal areas and new baggage handling system to an on-site hotel and a new, larger rental car facility, were presented by Aviation Director Sean C. Hunter at a special luncheon meeting of the Mayor’s Economic Development Advisory Committee at Rivertown’s Heritage Hall.

Kenner Mayor Ed Muniz praised the cooperation that has taken place the past two years among the committee, his administration and the airport that helped lead to plans for improvements that will play an important role in the city’s continued economic development. The meeting was also attended by City Council Members Jeannie Black, Michele Branigan, Sharon Augillard, Joe Stagni, Ben Zahn and Kent Denapolis.

Muniz described the improvements and the prospect of the economic boost they are expected to bring to Kenner as “exciting times” for the community. Hunter said some of the projects are aimed at reducing traffic congestion on the airport campus and providing new access points for cargo and general aviation users on the north side of the airport.

The money for the projects will come mostly from the flying public as passenger facilities charges, user fees and from grants and third party developers.

The projects are poised to begin within the next few months and reach completion by the end of 2012.

Muniz said when he created the economic development advisory board two years ago, one of its top recommendations was for Kenner to collaborate more closely with the airport for economic growth in Kenner.

Recently, as these projects began to develop, the Boyd Group, an international consulting firm specializing in the aviation industry announced that Armstrong International was one of three airports in the nation expected to experience significant growth over the next five years.

The improvements planned include:

A new consolidated rental car facility with many customer conveniences.
A widened, multi-laned Aberdeen Street from the airport to Veterans Boulevard.
Request for proposals for private development of non-residential noise lands.
Parking garage expansion – 1,000 more car spaces.
On-site hotel – 240 rooms.
Expansion of Concourse D.
West terminal expansion and annex gates.
New north perimeter road.
Relocation & renovation of airfield lighting vault.
New utility building.
Westward expansion of Taxiway G.
New & expanded fire station.
Improvements to terminal exterior and interior.
Improved in-line baggage handling system.