Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
Medium HubKenner, LA · MSY
Recent News
Updated Mar 28, 2026Louis Armstrong Airport officials advised travelers to arrive three hours before departure for flights on March 29-30, 2026, with wait times expected to reach two hours. Peak periods are between 4-7 a.m. and 3-6 p.m., while shorter waits are expected March 27-28.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were deployed to Louis Armstrong Airport on March 23, 2026 to assist with crowd control during severe TSA staffing shortages. MSY recorded over 40% TSA callout rate on March 22, the highest among major U.S. airports, causing security lines to extend into parking garages.
Louis Armstrong Airport submitted its 20-year master plan to the FAA in March 2026, outlining expansion including a new parking garage, 15 additional gates by 2031, and eventually a second terminal. Airport officials say the current facility will reach capacity by 2031 if travel patterns continue.
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport closed Runway 2/20 on March 2, 2026 for an eight-month, $27.1 million keel-rehabilitation project expected to last until December 2026. All flights are using Runway 11/29 during construction, with $22.5 million funded by FAA grants.
Airport Profile
Key Financial Data (FY 2024)
Enplaned Passengers (FAA CATS)
Cost per Enplanement (CPE)
Revenue
Expense
Ratemaking Overview
Settlement & True-Up
Annual settlement framework
Extraordinary Coverage Protection (ECP)
Not available
Landing Fee Methodology
Not available
Terminal Rental Rate
Not available
Common Use & Gate Allocation
Additional Bonds Test
Additional Bonds may be issued if either (a) Historical Test: sum of (I) Net Revenues and (II) 1/12 of Rollover Coverage for any 12 consecutive months out of 18 months preceding issuance equals at least 125% of aggregate Debt Service Fund Requirement on all Outstanding Bonds and proposed Additional Bonds for such 12-month period; OR (b) Prospective Test: Both (I) same historical test as (a) equals at least 125% of aggregate Debt Service Fund Requirement on Outstanding Bonds, AND (II) Net Revenues estimated by Aviation Consultant for 3 consecutive calendar years commencing with year following issuance (or end of construction period) equals at least 125% of Debt Service Fund Requirement for each of such 3 years on all Outstanding Bonds and proposed Additional Bonds. Series 2024C Bonds issued under Prospective Test.
Rate Covenant
The Aviation Board covenants to impose and collect rates, fees, rentals, or other charges sufficient to produce: (1) Revenues in each Fiscal Year at least sufficient to pay (i) arbitrage rebate, (ii) all Operation and Maintenance Expenses, (iii) annual debt service on all Bonds, (iv) deposits to Debt Service Reserve Fund, (v) deposits to Improvement Account if required by Commercial Airline Leases, (vi) deposits to O&M Reserve Fund, (vii) Credit/Liquidity/Reserve Asset provider obligations, (viii) Subordinated Bonds principal and interest; and (2) Net Revenues (together with Rollover Coverage Account balance from prior Fiscal Year if required/permitted by Commercial Airline Leases) at least equal to 125% of Bond Debt Service Requirement for such Fiscal Year. Net PFC Revenues deposited into Transferred PFC Account are included in Net Revenues for Rate Covenant purposes.
Flow of Funds
All Revenues deposited daily into Airport Operating Fund. Monthly deposits (second Business Day before first Wednesday of each month) in priority order: (a) Arbitrage Rebate Fund; (b) Operation and Maintenance Expenses; (c) Debt Service Fund (monthly 1/12 requirement); (d) Debt Service Reserve Fund (replenish to requirement); (e) Improvement Account (if required by Commercial Airline Leases); (f) O&M Reserve Fund (1/12th monthly until full, then 1/36th after withdrawals); (g) Credit/Liquidity/Reserve Asset provider obligations; then General Purposes Account (until General Purposes Account Requirement met); (h) Rollover Coverage Account (if required by Commercial Airline Leases), else to General Purposes Account.
Source Documents
Official Statements
Financial Statements
Source: FAA CATS Form 5100-127, DOT T-100 Market Data, Airport Official Statements · Hub classification: FAA CY 2024 Enplanement Data · Prepared by DWU Consulting