Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport has experienced
rapid growth over the past six years. From 2009 to 2015, air service expanded
into new markets including Central and South America and the Caribbean. Over
the same period, the Airport’s total enplanements rose 37 percent. With this substantial
expansion and growth, the Airport surpassed a significant milestone for the
first time ever in 2015, when more than 10.6 million total passengers traveled
through the Airport. There has been much progress over a short period of time,
and we continue to experience positive growth.
2016 has already been a year for the record books. In May, a
record one million total passengers traveled through Armstrong International.
The number of non-stop destinations also climbed to a record-breaking 55
destinations. New domestic destinations added this year include Jacksonville,
Florida, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida, with
Allegiant Air.
Allegiant Air is an ultra-low cost carrier that offers
travel packages from small cities to world-class travel destinations throughout
the United States. Currently, Allegiant offers service from New Orleans to
eight destinations including Cincinnati, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; Indianapolis,
Indiana; Orlando/Sanford, Florida; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Travelers can
create custom travel packages with air fare, hotel accommodations, rental car
reservations, and more by visiting Allegiant’s website, www.AllegiantAir.com.
GLO also expanded service this year with non-stop flights to
Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and Huntsville, Alabama, both new
destinations from New Orleans. Service to Huntsville International Airport will
begin on September 30, 2016, with departures from New Orleans on Wednesdays,
Fridays, and Sundays. One-way fares to Huntsville start at $149 and include transport
of up to three bags and one personal item. GLO is a New Orleans-owned and based
public charter company operated by Corporate Flight Management, Inc. GLO
provides service to five destinations from New Orleans including Shreveport, Louisiana,
Memphis, Tennessee, and Little Rock, Arkansas. Tickets to any of GLO’s
destinations are only available at www.FlyGLO.com.
The number of international non-stop destinations rose to five
routes with Condor’s announcement of non-stop service to Frankfurt, Germany.
This flight brings back non-stop service from New Orleans to Europe for the
first time since the early 1980s. Flights with Condor are scheduled to begin on
May 3, 2017, with two weekly flights operating on Wednesdays and Sundays. From
Frankfurt, travelers can connect to more than 120 destinations in Europe, Asia,
and Africa through Condor’s extensive network of partner airlines. Tickets
start at $399 one-way to Frankfurt and are now available at www.Condor.com and
all other online travel sources.
An all-time high 15 airlines now operate at the Airport
offering a wide range of airlines and price points that meet any passenger’s
budget. The increase in the number of airlines serving New Orleans has helped
keep fares competitive between air carriers and keep costs low for travelers.
Compared to other airports, Armstrong International’s average air fare is among
the lowest, which further contributes to our growth in enplanements.
As we continue to build on this growth, we look
forward to the future of the Armstrong International. In January 2016, construction
of a new terminal facility began. The North Terminal will have two connected
concourses and 30 gates. The North Terminal will offer better operational
efficiency to airlines with features such as an in-line baggage system and a
hydrant fueling system. The new terminal will also be in closer proximity to
the interstate meaning shorter travel time to the terminal for travelers. The
new facility will offer many passenger amenities including more concessions
post-security, a consolidated security checkpoint that offers greater ease in
transferring flights, and an on-site hotel.