Projects

Projects in Construction

CBIS 5TH EDS Expansion Project

The CBIS Expansion Project involves extending the building footprint on Level 1 of the terminal to accommodate a fifth Explosive Detection System (EDS) machine within the Checked Baggage Inspection System (CBIS) area. This addition will increase the system’s capacity and provide greater redundancy. To further enhance operational resilience and reduce the risk of future disruptions, new conveyors will also be installed in the Bag Makeup area.

As part of the expansion, the project includes the relocation of the existing New Orleans Airline Consortium (NOACO) office spaces currently located within the footprint of the new CBIS area. Replacement office space, locker rooms, and storage areas will be constructed in the bulb of Concourse C. Demolition, structural work, and material deliveries began in March.

Ongoing work includes under-slab tunneling to replace existing gravity sewer lines with lift stations and force mains, as well as continued planning for foundation and utility installation.

 Construction Budget: $ 65M
Projected Timeline: October 2024 – May 2027
Status: Under Construction

Terminal, Concourses B & C Sewer Enhancements

This project involves upgrading the sewer systems in Concourses B and C. The scope of work includes under-slab tunneling to replace the existing gravity sewer infrastructure with new lift stations and sewer force mains, improving system reliability and capacity.

Construction Budget: $ 28M
Projected Timeline: April 2026 – January 2027
Status: Material Procurement Phase

Express Shuttle Connector Road (Phase 1)

The Express Shuttle Connector Road project will construct a dedicated airport shuttle roadway, separate from public streets and located entirely on airport property. This new route will enable more efficient transportation of passengers between the north and south campuses, eliminating the need to navigate public traffic.

The south campus currently houses key facilities such as the Rental Car Center, Economy Parking, and Employee Parking, which collectively connect over 9,000 people daily to the North Terminal. By streamlining shuttle operations, the project will improve headway times and overall transit efficiency. Additionally, it offers environmental benefits by reducing congestion and minimizing vehicle idling on city roads.

 Ongoing work includes utility locating and construction of staging areas. Fencing and storm drain installation began in September.

Construction Budget: $ 26.8 Million
Projected Timeline:  June 2025 – October 2026
Status: Under Construction
Grant Funding: A total of $7.4 million is funded by the Airport Terminal Program (ATP), while $13.5 million is funded by Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG).

Runway 2-20 Keel Rehabilitation

The Runway 2 20 Keel Rehabilitation Project includes full-depth reconstruction of the two center keel panels along the entire 7001-foot length of the runway. The scope also includes electrical upgrades, with the replacement of all in-pavement centerline lights and cans.

Additional work includes resealing all joints for both existing and new pavement, applying new runway markings on Runway 2 20 and all associated connectors. The project also involves demolition of the former Taxiway Hotel and reconstruction of the Runway 29 HOX MALSR lighting system, which provides high-intensity approach lighting with sequenced flashing lights. 

Construction Budget: $27.1M
Projected Timeline:  Complete construction by December 2026
Status: Pre-Construction
Grant Funded: The project is funded with $22.5 million from the Airport Improvement Program (AIP)

Overflow Surface Parking

Additional surface parking is currently in the design phase to expand parking options for passengers. Two overflow lots are planned, one located east of the Short-Term Garage and another east of the Long-Term Garage. Once complete, the new parking areas will provide approximately 380 spaces, all within walking distance of the Terminal. 

Construction Budget: $5.6M
Projected Timeline:  Complete construction by December 2026
Status: In procurement

Airport Master Plan

An Airport Master Plan is a comprehensive process used to define the short, intermediate, and long-term development goals of the airport. It considers a 20-year planning horizon and is based on aviation activity forecasts that have been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The plan is developed through a combination of professional analysis and public involvement.

A typical Master Plan is completed over a 24-month timeline. The planning process includes the technical and procedural validation of various development concepts and alternatives, assessed on technical, economic, and environmental grounds. The primary goal is to establish a clear framework to guide future airport development in a way that meets projected aviation demand.

The Master Plan includes a visual representation of current facilities and future development scenarios. It also provides a conceptual financial plan to support those improvements. As part of the process, the Federal Aviation Administration will approve the airport’s activity forecast, the selection of the critical aircraft, and the updated Airport Layout Plan.

The Preferred Development Concept has been completed and outlines future infrastructure, including 60+ aircraft gates, two terminals, three parking garages, and 5+ concourses.

Project Budget: $3.6 Million
Projected Timeline:  Project completion estimate in December 2025, dependent on FAA Acceptance
Status: Final Documentation
Grant Funding: $3.6 Million is funded by the Airport Improvement Program (AIP)

Projects Completed

New Orleans Aviation Board Administrative Office Buildout

This project involved the construction of new administrative office spaces for the New Orleans Aviation Board staff on levels one and three of the terminal building.

Level one includes auxiliary areas and support functions for Customer Experience and landside operations. These spaces consist of additional administrative offices, a lost and found office, a training room, storage, and ground transportation offices. This area is located near the entrance to the Short-Term Garage.

Level three houses the main administrative offices, which include a mezzanine and provide approximately 22,000 square feet of space. This area accommodates multiple departments and up to 150 employees. This relocation moved staff from their previous offices in the former terminal located on the south campus

The administrative area includes a variety of departments and functions such as Planning, Development and Construction, Finance and Administration, Customer Experience, Marketing and Communications, Commercial Development, Legal, and Operations and Maintenance.

 Construction Budget: $23.1 million
Projected Timeline: May 2023 – December 2024
Status: Completed

Airport Roadway Ingress/Egress Improvements

This project facilitated the integration of the Louisiana Department of Transportation Development’s (DOTD) I-10 flyover project onto Airport roadways.  It includes the widening of the entrance and exit roadways, smoothly connecting the airport entrance road with the incoming DOTD flyover, providing an additional lane and capacity.

The project also includes the construction of a new entrance to a future vehicle holding and staging lot. This feature enhances airport operational flexibility during peak travel periods and special events.

Construction Budget: $2.5 million
Projected Timeline: June 2023 – December 2023
Status: Completed

Baggage Handling System Enhancements

Enhancements to the existing airport baggage handling system added redundancy to the conveyor network and implemented improvements in logic and controls in critical areas to reduce bag jams and increase the efficiency of outbound baggage screening.

 The work included installing additional conveyors in the baggage inspection and baggage makeup areas, upgrading programming, and completing TSA testing, followed by final commissioning.

As a result, the project increased the number of bags processed per minute from 25 to 32 and improved recovery time by 50% in the event of a bag jam.

Construction Budget: $17.4 million
Projected Timeline: January 2022 – November 2023
Status: Construction 

Extension of Taxiway Golf and Taxiway Bravo Project

The project involved constructing and extending Taxiway Golf (G) to the west of its current location. With the opening of the new terminal north of Runway 11/29, Taxiway G needed to be extended to better accommodate traffic using Runway 11/29, specifically the Runway 29 approach, where aircraft will back taxi down Taxiway G to the North Terminal. This extension enhances operational safety.

The extension added approximately 1,500 feet to the existing west end of Taxiway G, connecting it directly to the end of Runway 11. Additionally, Taxiway B was extended from its current stub at Runway 11/29 to connect with Taxiway G. The project also included the installation of lighting and signage for all new pavement areas.

The project improved safety by reducing conflicts between taxing aircraft. The project also decreased taxiway occupancy time, leading to both environmental and economic advantages by reducing fuel consumption. 

Construction Budget: $59.0M 
Projected Timeline: January 2021 – October 2023
Status: Completed
Grant Funding: $57.8 million of the project’s total amount is funded by the Airport Improvement Program (AIP)

USO Military Lounge

The military lounge was created to provide comfortable accommodations for active duty military members and their families. In addition to the daily stresses and responsibilities of military life, many service members may be traveling far from home or on their way to their next duty station or deployment.

The airport seeks to help ease the travel experience with this dedicated space for our nation’s active duty service members. The military lounge offers approximately 1,000 square feet of space. It is located on level three of the terminal next to the new boardroom and features complimentary snacks, comfortable seating, charging stations, and televisions in a convenient pre-security area. The lounge is staffed by volunteers and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Construction Budget: $1.0M
Project Timeline: Complete February 2023
Status: Completed

New Orleans Aviation Board Room

The new 6,500 square foot Board Room at MSY is located on level 3 of the terminal. It serves as a meeting space for the New Orleans Aviation Board to hold its monthly sessions, features state-of-the-art technology, and includes an adjoining conference room that can also function as a remote Emergency Operations Center.

Construction Budget: $4.5M
Projected Timeline:  Completed February 2023
Status: Completed

The New MSY Terminal 

The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport built a new terminal to better serve the needs of the traveling public. The original terminal was constructed in 1959, with various additions made over the past 60 years. In addition to the challenges that arise from maintaining an aging building, airport security requirements and aviation industry best practices have changed drastically since that time. 

To enhance efficiency and reduce costs, the airport has replaced the old terminal, apron, and roadways with a new $1 billion terminal located on the north side of the airport property. The new terminal features two parking garages, a surface parking lot, modernized ticketing, a centralized security checkpoint, three concourses, and a total of 35 aircraft gates.

Budget: $1B
Projected Timeline:  Completed November 2019
Status:  Completed

Future Projects

East Apron Expansion

The East Apron Expansion project aims to increase the capacity of Remain Over Night (RON) parking positions and general service equipment storage located east of Concourse C. This expansion has been carefully planned to support the expected growth of the east concourse. The new aircraft parking positions will be developed in alignment with future demand.

Construction Budget: $7.0M
Projected Timeline:  Complete construction by December 2026
Status:  In procurement
Grant Funded: $7.8M of this project is funded by the Airport Improvement Program (AIP)

Hours

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is open 24 hours daily, including holidays.

Administrative office hours: 8 AM to 5 PM (M-F)