New Orleans Airport Sets Record With Over 12 Million Passengers In 2017

NEW ORLEANS – The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) has set a new, all-time record with 12,009,512 total passengers served in 2017. Due to an increase in air service, 2017 was another year of unprecedented growth at the Airport.

Passenger totals from 2017 follow record-setting years in 2015 and 2016 with 10.6 million passengers and 11.1 million passengers travelling through MSY, respectively. Last year was the seventh year of continued passenger growth, with an overall increase of over 35 percent in total passengers since 2010.

“Travelers from all over the world are flocking to New Orleans for the unique culture, experience and people here,” said New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “I’m so proud to see yet another record-breaking year for the Airport. This is a clear sign that New Orleans isn’t just back on its feet, it is as vibrant as ever. As a top travel destination in 2018, we are in a position to see even more tourism growth during our tricentennial year. As construction progresses on the new North Terminal, which will be complete in February 2019, we will continue to open the doors to new opportunities for the people, businesses and visitors in our city. ”

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In 2017, the airport obtained new flights to various destinations including:

February 2017

·         Allegiant Air began nonstop service to two new destinations: Raleigh-Durham, NC (RDU), and Cleveland, OH (CLE).

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March 2017

·         British Airways launched four times weekly, nonstop flights to London-Heathrow (LHR), a new international destination from MSY, and announced the addition of a fifth frequency in October 2017.

April 2017

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·         Southwest Airlines began seasonal service to Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), and John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH).

May 2017

·         Condor Airlines launched seasonal, nonstop service to Frankfurt, Germany (FRA), a new international destination from MSY.

·         Vacation Express added more flights to Cancun, Mexico (CUN), for the 2017 season.

September 2017

·         Alaska Airlines and Virgin America began daily nonstop service to San Francisco (SFO).

October 2017

·         Frontier Airlines launched service to four cities including two new destinations with Islip (ISP) and Providence (PVD) and two existing destinations with San Antonio (SAT) and Austin (AUS).

·         The fifth weekly flight to London-Heathrow (LHR) with British Airways began.

November 2017

·         Spirit Airlines added nonstop service to four cities including daily service to Boston (BOS), Newark (EWR), and Tampa (TPA), and four times per week flights to Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP).

Due to the additional flights in 2017, the average daily carrier seats improved to 21,266, representing a 10.5 percent year-over-year increase. Average daily departures also increased from 146 flights to 150 flights, representing 2.9 percent growth year over year.

Additionally, a number of new flights are set to launch in 2018:

February 2018

·         Delta Air Lines will begin twice weekly service to Seattle (SEA) and Boston (BOS).

March 2018

·         Spirit Airlines will begin seasonal, nonstop service to Columbus, OH (CMH).

April 2018

·         Southwest Airlines will launch flights to two new nonstop destinations, Sacramento (SMF) and San Jose (SJC), as well as its very first international flight from New Orleans to Cancun (CUN), all scheduled to begin with one weekly frequency.

·         Spirit Airlines will operate four flights per week from MSY to Atlantic City International Airport (ACY), a new destination from New Orleans.

May 2018

·         Vacation Express expands service to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ).

“A primary goal for the Airport and the New Orleans Aviation Board is to expand air service and connectivity to New Orleans,” said New Orleans Aviation Board Chairwoman Cheryl Teamer. “This record-breaking achievement is a testament to the phenomenal job our Airport team is doing in recruiting new service. We announced numerous new flights in 2017 including the start of service to London, England, and Frankfurt, Germany.”

“Reaching the 12 million passenger mark is a huge accomplishment for MSY,” said Kevin Dolliole, Director of Aviation for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. “More than 20 new flights were announced in 2017 making New Orleans more connected and accessible than ever. We are excited to see this growth continue, and I look forward to what is to come in 2018.”

"Armstrong International welcomes more and more people to New Orleans each year, reaching yet another record for total passengers. With improved domestic and international travel from MSY, people from all over now have the opportunity to visit New Orleans." said New Orleans Councilmember Jared Brossett, Chair of the Transportation and Airport Committee.

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