Lafayette Regional Airport - Future

Future

Lafayette Regional Airport is in the process of building a new cargo terminal on the southwest side of the airfield, near the PHI headquarters. It will be approximately 22,500 square feet. Construction commenced in September 2010. It will provide parking for up to 5 Boeing 757 aircraft on its apron and will also join to existing taxiways that connect to runways 4R/22L. The relocation of the cargo ramp will give cargo carriers such as UPS and FedEx direct access to US Highway 90 (future I-49 corridor). Currently, UPS bases a Boeing 757-200 aircraft at the airport while FedEx bases two (2) Boeing 727-200 aircraft on the airfield as well. The UPS-operated B757 is the largest aircraft to use the airport on a regular basis. DHL had operated a Douglas DC-9 aircraft configured for freight operations from Lafayette; however, this company subsequently shut down all of their flight operations in the U.S. The old cargo ramp will create more room for a planned main terminal building extension. A preliminary study has begun on the existing terminal building in planning for future growth and construction. Adding an extension to the terminal would allow Lafayette Regional Airport to handle more air traffic, which could entice international carriers to use it as a connecting airport. This would require a customs department, stationed at the airport, which would bring Lafayette Regional Airport to an 'international airport' status.