New Orleans Airport Reopens

September 14, 2005

New Orleans Airport Reopens
September 14, 2005 – The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport reopened to commercial flights Tuesday for the first time since Hurricane Katrina devastated the area more than two weeks ago.

A Northwest Airlines flight from Memphis, Tenn. was the first commercial flight into or out of the airport. Those aboard included emergency workers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The airport has been operational since Tuesday, August 30 for humanitarian relief flights and civilian and military rescue efforts. Following Katrina, Armstrong International has assisted over 30,000 evacuees departing on flights provided by commercial air carriers and the military.

Armstrong International will resume operations in only a portion of the main terminal building. All passenger flights will operate out of Concourses A and B initially. Concourses C and D will continue to be utilized for the direct relief effort.

"We are extremely pleased to reopen Armstrong International to commercial air stated Roy Williams, Director of Aviation. "Scheduled passenger and cargo service enhances the Airport’s ability to support the City and region in its recovery."