LFT History

Lafayette Municipal Airport, located in Lafayette, Louisiana, was dedicated on November 29, 1930. Eastern Airlines began the first commercial air service from the airport in 1948. Its size has increased from 848.5 acres in 1953 to approximately 1,116 acres at present. From its humble beginning as a wooden hangar, Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT) has grown into a state-of-the art facility, providing top-notch service to area travelers and businesses.

Lafayette Regional Airport is a public use, primary commercial service, and short-haul airport as designated by the Federal Aviation Administration’s National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems. The airport’s International Air Transport Association (IATA) code is “LFT” and the international Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) code is “KLFT.”

LFT’s mission is to link southwest Louisiana with destinations around the world, easily, cost-effectively and conveniently, while providing a safe and secure environment for our travelers.

Lafayette is located midway between Houston and New Orleans and 35 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. Interstate highways I-10 (E-W) and I-49 (N-S) intersect at Lafayette, providing excellent highway access in all directions. Lafayette serves more than 625,000 residents of eight surrounding parishes and is the financial, services, medical, educational, cultural and consumer capital of southwest Louisiana. Lafayette’s major industries include chemical manufacturing and supply, petroleum services, retail trade, medical and Louisiana’s second largest university, University of Louisiana at Lafayette.