Lafayette Regional Airport Receives Statewide Awards at Louisiana Airport Managers Conference

Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT) was recognized by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development as Commercial Service Airport of the Year and Executive Director Steven Picou received honors as the David Slayter Memorial Louisiana Aviation Professional of the Year. The award is named for Slayter, who most recently served as Longmont (Colorado) Vance Brand Airport Manager and Executive Director for the Houma-Terrebonne Airport in Louisiana. The awards were presented at the 2022 Louisiana Airport Managers and Associates (LAMA) Annual Conference held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Lafayette.

“It’s such an honor to receive this statewide recognition for LFT the same year we opened our new terminal,” said Lafayette Airport Commission Chairman John Hebert. “A lot of people worked hard to make our airport the outstanding facility it is today. This award reinforces that others in the aviation industry have taken notice of their work and rewarded them for it.”

Picou said he was honored to be recognized by his peers for his leadership and achievement. “While this award recognizes my leadership, it also honors the airport staff and commissioners who provided the support needed for LFT to receive these honors,” Picou added.

The annual awards ceremony also recognizes the hardworking airport sponsors and aviation professionals in Louisiana, as well as superior achievement and leadership in the state’s aviation field. These awards honor excellence and professionalism at all levels of airport operations.

“On behalf of the entire department, I would like to congratulate the award winners,” said Louisiana Department Of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Secretary Shawn D. Wilson, Ph.D. “DOTD encompasses much more than roads and bridges, we are in the business of mobility and their work is a testament. The multimodal aspect of our business, in the case of aviation, is [a] major component that impacts communities across Louisiana. For our citizens, businesses, and visitors, air travel is obviously an important part of our economy.”

To be considered eligible for the Airport of the Year award, an airport must have managed all maintenance inspection issues, managed all significant safety-related features and made a significant impact on aviation through safety improvements/practices, construction, development or management of aviation resources.

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New LFT Terminal Open for First Flights!

The New LFT Terminal opened on Thursday, January 20, when the first flights departed the new terminal at Lafayette Regional Airport and the process of decommissioning the old terminal began.

The successful path to opening the New LFT Terminal without any debt began on December 6, 2014, when voters overwhelmingly approved a one-cent sales tax lasting eight months, to support its construction. Almost 60 percent of the votes cast supported the tax which could not be extended and was dedicated for the sole purpose of constructing the new terminal. Between April 1, 2015, and November 30, 2015, $33 million was collected from the temporary tax jumpstarting the funding process for the $150 million construction project, the largest in Lafayette Parish in decades. This local funding served as a match to federal and state funding, a partnership that made the project possible.

  • The Lafayette Airport Commission (LAC) chose three nationally-recognized firms to complete the project: RS&H, a leading aviation architectural and engineering firm was hired in June 2016 to design the terminal; CBRE Heery International, a leading project management and construction management firm was hired to oversee the project for the LAC in March 2016; the Lemoine Company and Manhattan Construction Company (a joint venture) was awarded the construction contract in November 2017.
  • In addition to Lemoine, 17 local subcontractors worked on the project, including Domingue Szabo & Associates, MBSB Group, Eustis Engineering, Royal Engineers, Sellers & Associates, Bernhard MCC, E.P. Breaux Electrical, Elliot Construction, Himmel’s Arch, Door & Hardware, JMA Painters, Louisiana Testing and Inspection, Patriot Construction, Siema Construction, Siemens and Southern Constructors, LLC.
  • RS&H developed multiple concepts and prepared two for presentation to the LAC for consideration – named Spirit and Journey. The LAC turned to the public to rate the designs before making their selection. Over two weeks, 5,110 people rated the concepts through engagement at libraries, civic organizations, community centers and on the airport’s website, recommending Journey. The LAC confirmed the Journey design in February 2017.
  • RS&H met with local community leaders to help understand the Acadiana region, which influenced the Journey design. The design reflects the present and future vision of this public space. The project was guided by the journey and voyage of many people who have settled in Acadiana, where their collective story continues to be celebrated in art, music, food, festivals and family gatherings to create a shared experience..
  • The canopy has colored glass featuring the colors of the Acadian flag.
  • The project was completed with the following milestones:
    • On budget o Debt free o With minimal delay with COVID-19 and several active hurricane seasons
    • The groundbreaking occurred on November 7, 2018.
    • The “topping out,” signaling the building had progressed to a point where final iron beam for the structure is put in place, was held in October 2019.
    • Partial substantial completion occurred on October 31, 2021.

The New LFT Terminal by the Numbers:

  • 120,000 square feet, twice the size of the existing terminal.
  • 966 parking spots, an increase of more than 200 parking spaces when compared to the existing terminal.
  • Two (2) TSA security screening lines with the ability to add a third line.
  • 194 security cameras throughout the terminal, covering all public areas.
  • Five (5) departure and arrival gates – all with new jet bridges.
  • Two (2) Mothers’ Rooms located in the terminal.
  • A Service Animal Relief Area (SARA) located inside the terminal.

More Fast Facts and Features:

  • A completely new system baggage handling system. After passengers check their bags at the ticket counter, baggage undergoes security screening in a secure, non-public location.
  • The public address system is a state-of-the-art audio system.
  • All lighting in the new terminal is LED.
  • Visitors to the new terminal have access to food and drinks on both sides of the security checkpoint.
  • The rotunda area (where the bar and restaurant are located), is equipped with dramatic Sage Glass, which tints automatically depending on the angle of the sun, providing an amazing view of the airfield.
  • Rental cars are located adjacent to the terminal right outside the rental car agencies’ counters.
  • The old terminal will be demolished for future expansion.

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Lafayette Regional Airport and American Airlines Announce New Direct Air Service to Charlotte, North Carolina

Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT) announced today that American Airlines will expand its daily service to include a non-stop flight to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). The new service will begin April 2, 2021. Passengers will have two daily flights that will depart at 7:00 am and 1:30 pm on the 63-seat CRJ-700.  They include nine first-class seats. Passengers can begin booking flights immediately.

 

“Having robust air service is critical to achieving economic development success in Lafayette,” says Steven Picou, Executive Director of LFT. “We value our partnership with American Airlines and thank them for their continued investment in our community. We have been wanting to add a second east coast destination for quite some time, and CLT was a prime candidate.”

 

In addition to offering daily service between Lafayette and Charlotte, American Airlines will continue to offer multiple daily flights between LFT and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

 

“We look forward to introducing our second largest hub, CLT, to customers in Lafayette,” said Brian Znotins, American’s Vice President of Network Planning. “Flights to CLT introduce several new connections up and down the east coast and internationally as customers begin to resume travel. American has taken every effort to ensure the well-being of customers throughout their journey, while offering more flexibility and choices than ever before.”

 

“We are excited to see new and expanded air service being offered at LFT,” says Picou. “This would not have been possible without the Acadiana communities choosing to fly LFT and supporting our local airport.”

 

Lafayette Regional Airport offers passengers over 15 departures or arrivals a day to Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas and Houston through airline partners American, Delta and United.

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Lafayette Regional Airport announces the following

Lafayette Regional Airport remains open and is providing services to those flights being operated by our airline partners.

Effective immediately, the following changes will be in effect at other operations at Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT):

  • LFT’s Administrative Offices are closed to the public.  Airport Badging and other in-person needs are by appointment only. The airport itself will remain open with operations as normal.
  • The Acadiana Tap House, the airport’s food and beverage vendor has closed the restaurant on the non-secure side of the TSA checkpoint, however, food and drinks will be available past the TSA checkpoint in the bar and at the kiosks.  The food menu will be limited.
  • Passengers should check directly with their airlines regarding the status of their flight. They are the best source of information.

 

Lafayette Regional Airport Ramps Up Cleaning Process to Promote Safety

Lafayette Regional Airport is taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of their employees, staff, vendors and passengers. Executive Director Steven Picou says most of these are centered on airport cleaning by airport staff and airline employees.  “We are increasing the frequency of these cleanings,” says Picou.  Picou says the “touch” areas being concentrated on include:

  • Lobbies (Ticketing and Bag Claim): Non-automated doors, counters, kiosks, trash bins, seating, baggage carts
  • Boarding pass scanners, screening trays, trash bins
  • Restrooms: Doors and latches, flush valves, countertops, non-automated fixtures
  • Gate Areas: Seats and armrests, counters, trash bins
  • Boarding Bridges: Doors, handrails
  • Common Areas: Concession tables and seating, escalator handrails, elevator buttons, touchscreen directories, trash bins, phones, and wheelchairs

“Additionally, we have anti-bacterial soap available in the restrooms now and will provide anti-bacterial hand sanitizer early next week. The cleaning products using are anti-bacterial and anti-viral,” he adds.  Although there has been no disruptions to flight service at present, Picou suggests travelers with questions regarding flight cancellations or re-scheduled flights contact their airline directly.

Lafayette Regional Airport Opens New LFT Terminal Dr. – Redirects Traffic

Visitors to Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT) are getting a closer look at the future of the airport. A new road directly in front of the New LFT Terminal has opened and it redirects traffic exiting the existing terminal building.

If you are heading to the existing terminal:

  • Traffic entering the airport will not change. Visitors will still take Surrey Street onto Blue Boulevard, turn right onto Terminal Drive and proceed beneath the canopy in front of the existing terminal.

When you are leaving the existing terminal:

  • Traffic will use the newly constructed road that passes in front of the New LFT Terminal currently under construction. The new road will direct visitors back to Blue Boulevard where they can exit on Surrey Street.

According to Executive Director Steven Picou, “We will be making changes to the roadways and parking lots as we prepare for the new terminal. This will provide motorists a first glimpse of the new terminal. We really think people will like it. They will get a first-hand look at the progress we’ve made on the New LFT Terminal as they pass right in front of it,” says Picou.

Just past the new road, the old Terminal Drive will become a two-way street leading to the entrance and from the exit of the Economy Parking Lot. The road will be barricaded from that entrance to Blue Boulevard.  The right lane from long-term and short-term parking will remain open to allow visitors to access Blue Boulevard to Surrey Street. This change will have no effect on the current parking areas.

 

Picou says the transition should be fairly seamless. “We have the proper signage up to direct visitors where to go,” he says.

Lafayette Regional Airport Passenger Activity Highest on Record in 2019!

Lafayette Airport Commission (LAC) Chairman Paul Segura reports that passenger activity at Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT) last year set a new all-time record for the number of passengers. A total of 530,501 passengers flew into and out of the airport in 2019, topping the previous number of 501,101 set in 2014.

“2019 was an incredible year, boosted by the addition of Frontier Airlines and their seasonal flights,” says LAC Chairman Paul Segura. “We’re grateful to the travelers of Acadiana who flew Lafayette this past year. Without their support, a record-setting year would not have been possible. As a commission and staff, we look for ways to improve the travel experience from LFT in any way we can and will continue to do so. Hopefully, we will see another great year in 2020 as we move closer to the opening of the New LFT Terminal.”

LFT Executive Director Steven Picou says there were several contributing factors that made 2019 a record-setting year. “We had additional air service options for most of the year and, in some cases, larger aircraft made more seats available,” says Picou. “Load factors, the number of seats occupied verses the number of seats available on flights, were high all year across all the airlines.”

To close out the year, in December a total of 43,201 passengers chose LFT. Load factors continued to be high in December for all three carriers. Leading the way was Delta Airlines/Atlanta with 86.7 percent of seats filled, followed by United Airlines/Houston with 73.6 percent and American Eagle/Dallas with 70.2 percent.

Cargo numbers for 2019 were impressive as well. A total of 8,157,365 pounds of cargo were loaded on planes and 19,444,023 was off loaded from planes, which was also the most ever on record.

Frontier Airlines Announces They Have Suspended Service at LFT Indefinitely

Frontier Airlines has informed Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT) they will not return to the Lafayette market. The airline had initially indicated that it would resume seasonal service at LFT in the Spring of 2020. Frontier stated to LFT Executive Director Steven Picou that the demand for their service was insufficient to continue. In 2019, Frontier had 40,682 passengers at LFT and provided direct service to Orlando, FL and Denver, CO.

In an email to Picou, a Frontier Analyst with Network Planning says, “Unfortunately, there was not enough demand for our product to warrant the investment of aircraft time. We will continue to monitor opportunities going forward, so please feel free to keep us updated with information that could help justify future service.”

“We appreciate the service Frontier provided,” says Picou. “While it is disappointing to hear of this decision, it is not uncommon in the airline industry. It is a very dynamic model, and airlines do what makes the best business sense for them. We will continue to explore new
opportunities with other airlines and seek more direct destinations on existing airlines.”

Lemoine Company Selected As Lead Construction Firm For New Terminal

The Lafayette Airport Commission (LAC) has selected a joint venture team of Lafayette’s The Lemoine Company and Houston-based Manhattan Construction  Company to build the new terminal building at Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT).  The selection means the Commission has all the key components in place to ramp up visible progress on the project. The Commission acted on the recommendation of a special selection committee who reviewed and scored statements of qualifications and conducted a thorough interview.

“This is a huge step in the building of the new terminal at LFT and it was by no means an easy decision,” says LAC Chairperson Valerie Garrett. “The commission decided long ago to utilize the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery method and the experience and expertise of the Lemoine/Manhattan team was impressive.  Lemoine is a local firm that also demonstrated how they plan to meet the airport’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise goal in a meaningful way, which is important to the LAC. We’re excited to have them on board to work with Heery and RS&H to complete the design and the project.”

The Lemoine Company and Manhattan Construction have a strong and successful partnership of execution dating back to 1987. Pursuit of the Lafayette Airport project has regenerated their long-standing relationship and have a common goal of delivering a much-anticipated world-class transportation facility in Lemoine’s hometown market.

The Lemoine|Manhattan Joint Venture is legally structured as a 60-40 partnership, respectively.

Founded in 1975 (42 years), The Lemoine Company has steadily grown from a small construction company, to one of the most respected, full-service general contracting and construction management firms in the Southeastern United States. Founded as a family-owned business in small-town Cottonport, Louisiana, Lemoine has built its reputation on a foundation of trust, delivering over $1.9 billion in preconstruction services, $370 million as CMAR and completing over 950 individual projects, most recently the expansion of LSU’s football stadium and additions at Lafayette General Medical Center.

Established in 1896 and now managed by the fifth generation of the founding family, Manhattan Construction has grown to become one of the largest privately-held construction firms in the United States. Manhattan has a diverse project portfolio and specializes in constructing high-profile, technically challenging projects, notably AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the Dallas Cowboy’s Stadium, DFW Airport and Houston Intercontinental Airport. They also have numerous projects listed on the National Registry of Historical Places.

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