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.

###

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.

###

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.