2010 Census results! (New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport: living, housing, farm)

[JimLFT]

Originally Posted by Darbro

I have one more question regarding AEX. Do they offer a lot of flights to different cities?

AEX has service to Houston Intercontinental (Continental), Dallas-Ft. Worth (American) and Atlanta (Delta). They recently had service to Memphis (Delta), but that service was dropped.

I should add, however, that AEX sees a tremendous amount of Military charters using civilian airlines. It's not unusual to see a chartered Boeing 747 fly non-stop to Germany, etc. Those charters aren't included in the official AEX passenger stats, but that level of activity is great for local business.

I think I'll start a Louisiana airport thread once all the 2010 numbers are in.

[Greeenback]

Originally Posted by Darbro

I have one more question regarding AEX. Do they offer a lot of flights to different cities?

AEX is an International Airport. I remember listening to the radio and they would announce a city and country they added to its fly list.

Yes, they offer flights to many major cities and countries.

[Innotech]

It does amaze me that Lafayette doesnt have a bigger airport. Im guessing thats because BR has a large one and now Alexandria, but it seems strange.

[annie_himself]

BR nor Lafayette need a large airport. I'm not sure what you mean by large but BTR metro is smallllll.

[JimLFT]

Originally Posted by Innotech

It does amaze me that Lafayette doesnt have a bigger airport. Im guessing thats because BR has a large one and now Alexandria, but it seems strange.

The Lafayette airport just set an all time record for passengers last year at 449,140 (enplanement and deplanement) and plans are being finalized for a $31.5 million terminal expansion. There's also a 540,000 sq. ft. air cargo apron and facility under construction for UPS and FedEx next to PHI.

Just a quick glance at Enplanement numbers for Louisiana's seven air carrier airports from 2009 (the latest year the FAA has complete stats):

New Orleans (Class B)
- 3,916,746

Baton Rouge (Class C)
- 347,815

Shreveport (Class C)
- 242,919

Lafayette (Class C)
- 205,913
- 225,632 (2010)

Alexandria (Class D)
- 154,736

Monroe (Class D)
- 85,314

Lake Charles (Class D)
- 55,174

Once all airports release their 2010 numbers, I'll create a new thread.

[JimLFT]

Originally Posted by Appraisergx

AEX is an International Airport. I remember listening to the radio and they would announce a city and country they added to its fly list.

Yes, they offer flights to many major cities and countries.

The city of Alexandria has done a remarkable job developing England Airpark (formerly England AFB) into an outstanding mixed-use facility with a beautiful new passenger terminal. However, some clarification is in order over the use of the term "International Airport". Many airports use the International tag, some more appropriately than others.

Here's what I'm getting at. Here in Lafayette, some locals felt we should "promote" ourselves by changing Lafayette Regional Airport to Lafayette International Airport ever since LFT was given International Port of Entry status many years ago. And for several years, FedEx had daily flights from LFT to Monterrey Mexico, as well as daily crew change charters to Ciudad de Carmen Mexico using a couple of thirty-two passenger Dornier regional jets, not to mention frequent international corporate flights as well as vacation charters. The way it works is the operator notifies the regional U.S. Customs office with the estimated time of arrival and the customs officials drive in to provide the clearance.

Not sure if BTR (Baton Rouge Metro Airport) or SHV (Shreveport Regional Airport) have a U.S. Customs office on the field, but I see an even greater level of international arrivals and departures at those airports, probably ranked second and third statewide with a slight edge to SHV due to air cargo.

Point being, the airport name is just that. A name. Nothing is preventing the director of the Houma airport from self-declaring it the Houma International Airport as it is also an International Port of Entry. That's all I'm getting at.

I think AEX can appropriately designate itself as such due to the high volume of military charters. But, for airports such as BTR, SHV and LFT, we'll do so only after securing mainline passenger service across the border...

[pandorafan5687]

Originally Posted by WestbankNOLA

I'll be glad when you realize that everywhere else is not Texas. Thanks to Houston, no petroleum based city in Louisiana is going to post massive growth unless it diversifies. It's probably hard for Baton Rouge to do much in that sense given that it's in between New Orleans and Houston. In order to squeeze an extra 2 million people in New Orleans you would have to either Manhattanize or build never-ending cookie cutter suburbs on the westbank. Unlike Texas, that suburbia thing won't fly on the Southshore.

I beleive Lake Charles is like the busiest seaport between houston and new orleans, and LC has the blessing of being surrounded by so much water, enabling aceess to the gulf. If only we could get that damn revitalization to happen quicker than it is.

[Greeenback]

Originally Posted by JimLFT

The city of Alexandria has done a remarkable job developing England Airpark (formerly England AFB) into an outstanding mixed-use facility with a beautiful new passenger terminal. However, some clarification is in order over the use of the term "International Airport". Many airports use the International tag, some more appropriately than others.

Here's what I'm getting at. Here in Lafayette, some locals felt we should "promote" ourselves by changing Lafayette Regional Airport to Lafayette International Airport ever since LFT was given International Port of Entry status many years ago. And for several years, FedEx had daily flights from LFT to Monterrey Mexico, as well as daily crew change charters to Ciudad de Carmen Mexico using a couple of thirty-two passenger Dornier regional jets, not to mention frequent international corporate flights as well as vacation charters. The way it works is the operator notifies the regional U.S. Customs office with the estimated time of arrival and the customs officials drive in to provide the clearance.

Not sure if BTR (Baton Rouge Metro Airport) or SHV (Shreveport Regional Airport) have a U.S. Customs office on the field, but I see an even greater level of international arrivals and departures at those airports, probably ranked second and third statewide with a slight edge to SHV due to air cargo.

Point being, the airport name is just that. A name. Nothing is preventing the director of the Houma airport from self-declaring it the Houma International Airport as it is also an International Port of Entry. That's all I'm getting at.

I think AEX can appropriately designate itself as such due to the high volume of military charters. But, for airports such as BTR, SHV and LFT, we'll do so only after securing mainline passenger service across the border...

Hi Jim,

I changed my handle to Greeenback. I am still the same person.

Nice read. You are full of information. I understand what you wrote, I believe. It seems as though you work within this particular industry.

AEX advertises as an International. Let's google it -- here is a basic google search:

alexandria international airport - Google Search

I do not know how many flights that migrate in and out from overseas (or how many countries). I just know I have heard it advertised, and I have checked once or twice some time ago.

Alexandria did do a pretty nice job with its terminal and other additions. It is nice construction, as well as, layout. Although I have not taken the tour in detail, I have seen pictures, videos, and such.

Thank you for the clarification about the names. Alexandria doesn't have the economic development to be known as a major international port, but maybe one day it is possible. Shreveport is more of a household name than Alexandria, so I agree with you on Shreveport's ability to entry, as well its ranking. The main economic attraction for International status is due to its location within the state.

What is your job title and description as it relates to the industry?

[JimLFT]

Originally Posted by Greeenback

What is your job title and description as it relates to the industry?

I'm a professional pilot for a Lafayette company, so yeah, I'm kind of into this stuff.

I hope I didn't come across as disrespectful toward Alexandria, because when I reread my post this morning, it sort of seemed that way. It was more directed at airports that declare themselves International if they've seen even one Cessna from across the border. It is generally appropriate to consider an airport an international airport only once it has secured scheduled mainline passenger service, however AEX, and airports like AEX, are the exception. While AEX may not offer scheduled international flights, it sure lands a bunch of heavy metal from overseas, something that BTR, SHV and LFT can't say...

[JimLFT]

Originally Posted by aab7855

I hope Lafayette doesn't get too big, or somebody needs to do some SERIOUS improvement to the infrastructure. I mean the roads are smooth and well constructed but the planning just isn't there. If you live on the Southside the traffic is already awful..imagine the city at 300,000 if they don't totally re-think the grid..scary..

Fortunately, Lafayette has seen a LOT of new road development in the last five to ten years. Just consider how huge a difference the recent 6.5 mile extension of Ambassador Caffery south to Hwy. 90 has made. And now the plans are to extend it north another 9.5 miles. By my calculations, that will total 26 miles from the Zoo of Acadiana to the Hector Connoly exit at I-49!

Too many other additions to mention, but at least the crappy planning here is finally getting some resolution.