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New Orleans outlines MSY expansion plans (w/ renderings)

Posted on 3/20/26 at 9:11 pm
Posted by GeorgeReymond
Buckhead
Member since Jan 2013
10395 posts
Posted on 3/20/26 at 9:11 pm
Plans include a new parking garage, a second terminal with additional gates, and redevelopment of the old terminal and south campus - alongside several ongoing projects, including the express shuttle connector road scheduled for completion in 2027.

LINK

quote:


“MSY continues to perform at a high level, serving nearly 12.5 million passengers and earning national recognition for excellence,” said New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno. “The Master Plan will guide the next phase, keeping our airport efficient, modern, and ready for New Orleans’ continued growth.”

Developed over a two-year period with input from airlines, regional leaders, economic development and hospitality partners, and the public, the Master Plan outlines the investments needed to ensure MSY can meet future demand while maintaining the high-quality experience travelers expect.

quote:

Current forecasts indicate that by the time the Airport reaches 8.6 to 9.7 million departing passengers within the 10-year planning period, the following additional infrastructure investments are needed:
• A second terminal facility to process the growing volume of passengers
• 10 to 15 additional gates to support expanded airline operations
• An improved roadway system to eliminate bottlenecks and allow better access and vehicle circulation
• An additional parking garage where the surface lot currently sits.


“With this Master Plan, we are positioning ourselves to ensure the Airport is ready with the necessary space as our region continues to grow the economy and attract new businesses and visitors,” Kevin Dolliole, Director of Aviation MSY. “We’re not only improving the travel experience for millions of visitors but also creating jobs and positioning our region as a leader in innovative transportation infrastructure.”


quote:

In addition, the plan outlines redevelopment of the Airport’s South Campus, including demolition of the older parts of the former terminal to open up opportunities for aeronautical uses such as aircraft maintenance operations, air cargo expansion, hangar development and other aviation-related uses.

The Airport has submitted its Master Plan to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and is working with the agency on gaining final acceptance.

“We are so proud that the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is located in Jefferson Parish and recognize the economic impact it brings to our residents, businesses, and the entire region,” said Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng. “The MSY Master Plan represents important investments that will strengthen both our infrastructure and our economy. Jefferson Parish is committed to working alongside airport leadership, the City of Kenner, and our neighboring parishes to support the airport’s continued growth, while also improving our residents’ quality of life, and building a more resilient parish and region.”

The Airport is also currently undergoing several capital improvement projects, including the $84.5 million Express Shuttle Connector Road, the expansion of the Airport’s checked baggage screening system, and a $27.1 million project to rehabilitate the North-South Runway. It will soon begin construction of 400 additional parking spaces to increase parking inventory near the terminal.

“In St. Charles Parish, we’ve seen firsthand how access and connectivity influence investment decisions,” said St. Charles Parish President Matthew Jewell. “This new terminal will not only enhance travel, but also strengthen logistics, workforce mobility, and our ability to attract and retain major companies. This is a win for the entire Southeast Louisiana region.”







This post was edited on 3/20/26 at 9:13 pm
Posted by Srbtiger06
Member since Apr 2006
29155 posts
Posted on 3/20/26 at 9:12 pm to
Hmmm
Posted by N2cars
Member since Feb 2008
38991 posts
Posted on 3/20/26 at 9:14 pm to
The new slogan is great, though.


" I hate to fly MSY!"




Not sure AI did a good job there...
Posted by Defenseiskey
Houston, TX
Member since Nov 2010
2062 posts
Posted on 3/20/26 at 9:16 pm to
I support it as long as whoever was in charge of building the current terminal is in charge of it again. I fly a lot and MSY is my favorite airport. Its very rare to see something so well run in New Orleans.
Posted by fightin tigers
Downtown Prairieville
Member since Mar 2008
77951 posts
Posted on 3/20/26 at 9:26 pm to
Like last time waiting for everyone to get really mad that "tax dollars should be spent on other projects"

Then try to explain how this isn't paid for with tax dollars. No one ever reads or listens though.
Posted by Cosmo
glassman's guest house
Member since Oct 2003
130810 posts
Posted on 3/20/26 at 9:33 pm to
quote:

Then try to explain how this isn't paid for with tax dollars. No one ever reads or listens though.


Yep. Airports are profitable and a big economic engine.
Posted by GEAUXT
Member since Nov 2007
30474 posts
Posted on 3/20/26 at 9:33 pm to
I have to admit, msy is actually a pretty decent airport
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
48173 posts
Posted on 3/20/26 at 9:34 pm to
quote:

I fly a lot and MSY is my favorite airport. It’s very rare to see something so well run in New Orleans.
ditto
the new airport is awesome especially as a home airport. Hassle free and easy. Whatever the politics (and/or graft) they did an incredible job
Posted by N2cars
Member since Feb 2008
38991 posts
Posted on 3/20/26 at 9:34 pm to
You must never check a bag.


I fly to larger airports frequently and it is stunning how slow MSY is, especially for a smaller airport.
Cleanliness is OK, but has fallen off dramatically since it opened, but to be fair, it has improved recently.

Parking, what there is of it, leaves a lot ( haha) to be desired, but the app has helped.

Skyharbor is the model for well run airports and MSY is a long way from that.



Posted by fightin tigers
Downtown Prairieville
Member since Mar 2008
77951 posts
Posted on 3/20/26 at 9:38 pm to
And 95% of the expansion will be paid for by the people who fly. Usually the airlines cover the cost.
Posted by LSUFanHouston
NOLA
Member since Jul 2009
40803 posts
Posted on 3/20/26 at 9:40 pm to
quote:

You must never check a bag. I fly to larger airports frequently and it is stunning how slow MSY is, especially for a smaller airport.


Aren’t they working on this?

Curious how a second terminal would work. One of the better things about MSY is the single terminal / security entrance
Posted by Uncommon Idea
Member since Feb 2025
276 posts
Posted on 3/20/26 at 9:40 pm to
They can't manage to stop where the road meets the Departure ramps from sinking but they're going to add more terminals?

This will be poorly planned and half-arse executed like everything else. But hey, it's "progress."

It's not the worst airport I've been in but it certainly isn't the best.
This post was edited on 3/20/26 at 9:57 pm
Posted by rintintin
Life is Life
Member since Nov 2008
17036 posts
Posted on 3/20/26 at 9:43 pm to
I was a big critic when they first greenlighted the new airport, but I'll readily admit it's a great airport and done well.

They still need to move the damn rental cars on premise, or at least have a few options. It's one of the worst rental car airports I've been to.

Also, I'm surprised to see this demand for new gates and terminals. Concourse A is always empty. We always hangout there with the family before flights because the gates are completely deserted.
This post was edited on 3/20/26 at 9:45 pm
Posted by tankyank13
NOLA
Member since Nov 2012
8272 posts
Posted on 3/20/26 at 9:49 pm to
quote:

The Airport is also currently undergoing several capital improvement projects, including the $84.5 million Express Shuttle Connector Road,


Only in Nola does building a road around an airfield cost 85 million dollars

They are rebuilding the north and south runway for 27 million

how the frick does it cost 85 million for a road to support transit buses?
This post was edited on 3/20/26 at 9:51 pm
Posted by GeorgeReymond
Buckhead
Member since Jan 2013
10395 posts
Posted on 3/20/26 at 9:50 pm to
No joke. It’s a great airport.

Anyone who cares about the future of Louisiana and New Orleans should support every improvement to MSY.. it’s one of the most important drivers of long-term growth.

Atlanta’s economic rise is largely driven by the scale and connectivity of ATL.

Execution won’t always be perfect and yes, there’ll be politics along the way, but MSY’s sustained investment and expansion are non-negotiable if you want long-term growth for the region.
Posted by Tarps99
Lafourche Parish
Member since Apr 2017
12324 posts
Posted on 3/20/26 at 10:01 pm to
quote:

I support it as long as whoever was in charge of building the current terminal is in charge of it again.



They just have to make sure that let the ground compact first before building the terminal.

I remember news stories that the building had some major plumbing issues where the pipes started to break under the building as terminal was undergoing final construction.

WWL TV 2019 MSY Plumbing

Not sure if all has been addressed or if it is still an ongoing issue.
Posted by GregMaddux
LSU Fan
Member since Jun 2011
18701 posts
Posted on 3/20/26 at 10:04 pm to
Is it too late for me to make money off this?
Posted by TigerNlc
Chocolate City
Member since Jun 2006
33173 posts
Posted on 3/20/26 at 10:07 pm to
(no message)
Posted by Uncommon Idea
Member since Feb 2025
276 posts
Posted on 3/20/26 at 10:08 pm to
quote:

Not sure if all has been addressed or if it is still an ongoing issue.

The ramps on the Departures side have settling issues.

They tried to fix the side where you leave after dropping off passengers but it's already become a problem again. It's a pretty rough drop/decline and I slow down quite a bit to avoid any damage.

Google managed to catch imagery when they were trying to fix it.



quote:

Is it too late for me to make money off this?

It's Louisiana. Who do you know? Why do you think this is coming out? It's time to lay the groundwork for another paycheck for some family/friends.
This post was edited on 3/20/26 at 10:10 pm
Posted by runforrestrun
Baton Rouge
Member since May 2013
1013 posts
Posted on 3/20/26 at 10:11 pm to
quote:

$84.5 million Express Shuttle Connector Road,


Why not spend that money on a new rental car facility at the new terminal to eliminate the need for a shuttle?
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