FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 4, 2013

Armstrong International Airport Traffic Continues to Grow
End of Year Statistics Show Continued Upward Movement

(NEW ORLEANS, LA) – While the comparable airports collectively experienced a decrease, the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport reported an increase in passenger volume in 2012. When compared to 2011 numbers, Armstrong International passenger volume has maintained an upward climb. The 2012 passenger volume increased 0.6% to 8,600,989 up from 8,548,375 in 2011. Enplaned passengers were 4,306,707, a 0.6% increase over 2011 and deplaned passengers increased 0.7% to 4,294,282. December 2012 monthly passengers totaled 671,896. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (bts.gov), the 35 comparable medium airport hubs to Armstrong International were collectively down 1.69% through YTD September 2012 over September 2011.

In 2012, a total of 9 airlines served the New Orleans Market which included one international carrier. Southwest Airlines was the volume leader among the airlines carrying 33.2% of all MSY passengers or over 2.8 million passengers. Last month, Spirit Airlines became the tenth airline to serve the Airport.

Commercial air carrier operations, including charters and cargo for the year totaled 90,672 operations. Cargo activity at Armstrong International was 46,784 metric tonnes of freight and mail.
"Armstrong International is continuing its upward trajectory of passenger growth,” said Iftikhar Ahmad, Director of Aviation. "As we move forward, we want to thank our airline partners for their continued faith in the Greater New Orleans Metropolitan area.”

"New Orleans remains a popular destination for millions of business and leisure travelers,” said New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. "This is evident in the 2012 year end stats.”