The conceptual design for the $826m new terminal at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport has been unveiled by mayor Mitch Landrieu and city officials.
The 650,000ft² terminal will be located on the north side of the airport, and will feature two concourses with 30 gates.
It will have a consolidated checkpoint, seamless connections between concourses, and 2,000 parking garage spaces.
The project will provide over 13,000 construction jobs and significant opportunities for local businesses and disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs) in the region.
Mayor Landrieu said: “As the most transformative project for New Orleans since the Superdome, this development will create new jobs and unmatched business opportunities for the people of New Orleans.”
“We did the hard work, leveraged our relationships with federal, state and local partners, and today a financially feasible, world-class airport is on the way.”
The project includes plans for a $72m power plant project, $87m for a flyover addition from I-10 to improve access to the airport, and $17m for an on-site hotel.
It is the projected to have $1.7bn in economic impact from construction and $3.2bn in expected annual economic impact on tourism.
According to the airport officials, on 30 December 31, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a finding representing that the proposed action would not significantly affect environmental resources and approval of the proposed airport action.
The project is slated to be completed by May 2018, the city’s 300th anniversary.
Airport Director of Aviation Iftikhar Ahmad said: “The Airport is a major economic asset for the region, even with its aging facility with many deficiencies.”
“This new terminal will provide a financially sustainable airport, improved air service and thousands of jobs and business opportunities, most of all; the community will get a world class airport.”
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, located in Louisiana, US, is owned by the city of New Orleans and is the primary commercial airport for the New Orleans metropolitan area and southeast Louisiana.