he New Orleans Aviation Board has unveiled plans to build a new multi-million dollar airport terminal on the north side of Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.
The announcement comes less than two years after the Mayor of New Orleans Mitch Landrieu requested the board to undertake an in-depth and robust analysis of four proposals for the future of the gateway from the airport’s master plan.
The current airport terminal at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is more than 50 years old, and its infrastructure and set up have driven operational costs at the gateway to high, unsustainable levels.
The existing terminal also generates relatively low revenue from parking and concessions due to the set up.
As a result, this high cost, low revenue model makes costs higher for airlines to operate, and therefore puts the airport at a competitive disadvantage for attracting new flights and business.
After a comprehensive analysis of available options in the airport’s master plan, the Mayor said that building a new terminal on the north side of the airport property provides the best opportunities for revenue growth and sustainable operating, as well as giving the airport and region the best job and economic development potential.
The north side terminal project will cost approximately $650 million to build with possible additions including a $72 million power plant project, $87 million for a flyover addition from I-10 to improve access to the airport, and $17 million for a potential on-site hotel.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $826 million.
Pending completion of environmental reviews, which will include extensive community engagement, construction is expected to commence in 2014, with completion in 2018