New Orleans Lakefront Airport

New Orleans Lakefront Airport
Name	New Orleans Lakefront Airport
Nativename	Shushan Airport
Iata	NEW
Icao	KNEW
Type	Public
Owner	City of New Orleans
Location	New Orleans, Louisiana
Elevation	5 ft
Runway1	18/36
Runway1 length ft	8,022
Runway2	9/27
Runway2 length ft	6,001

New Orleans Lakefront Airport is a public airport located on the shore of Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans, Louisiana. The facility, historically known as Shushan Airport, has served civil aviation, military operations, and community events, and is proximate to notable Lake Pontchartrain, City of New Orleans, and New Orleans Central Business District landmarks. The airport's architecture and operational history intersect with figures and institutions such as Herbert Hoover, Huey Long, and the United States Army Air Forces.

History

The airport opened in 1934 as Shushan Airport following investments by local entrepreneur Abraham Shushan and was dedicated during the administration of Mayor T. Semmes Walmsley amid broader municipal projects that included works connected to the Great Depression and New Deal-era initiatives tied to Franklin D. Roosevelt. Early years featured scheduled service from carriers including Eastern Air Lines and Transcontinental & Western Air, linking to hubs like Chicago Midway International Airport and Atlanta (Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport). During World War II, the airfield was used for training by units of the United States Army Air Forces and for antisubmarine patrols coordinated with bases such as Naval Air Station New Orleans.

Postwar civil operations saw the airport hosting general aviation and small scheduled services while nearby New Orleans International Airport expanded commercial traffic. Architectural elements reflect the Art Deco and Moderne styles seen in works by architects like Clarence M. Goodman and in structures akin to the HemisFair '68 era civic projects. The facility's governance shifted among municipal agencies including the Port of New Orleans and the City of New Orleans Aviation Department.

Facilities and Infrastructure

The airport comprises two primary runways (18/36 and 9/27) with lengths suitable for general aviation and smaller airliners, and hangars that have housed operators such as Piper Aircraft, Cessna, and Bell Helicopter. Terminal and hangar buildings include the historic Art Deco terminal with features comparable to preservation efforts at TWA Flight Center and LaGuardia Airport historic terminals; these structures have drawn interest from preservation groups like the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Louisiana Landmarks Society.

Support infrastructure includes Fixed-Base Operators (FBOs), fuel services compatible with Jet A and leaded avgas used historically by piston fleets, and runway lighting systems meeting standards of the Federal Aviation Administration. The airport's proximity to Lake Pontchartrain Causeway and surface transportation nodes such as Interstate 10 positions it near metropolitan corridors. Environmental and coastal engineering concerns involve agencies like the United States Army Corps of Engineers, especially for shoreline protection and flood mitigation.

Airlines and Destinations

Commercial airline service at the facility has been intermittent. Historically, regional and commuter carriers such as Commutair, Chautauqua Airlines, and short-lived startups served destinations including Mobile Regional Airport, Gulfport–Biloxi International Airport, and links to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport connections. In recent decades the airport primarily accommodated general aviation, charter operations, flight training from institutions like Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University affiliates, and corporate aviation for firms headquartered in places such as Xavier University of Louisiana and Tulane University.

Accidents and Incidents

The airport's operational history includes a range of incidents investigated by organizations such as the National Transportation Safety Board. Notable events involved small-flight accidents and emergency responses coordinated with New Orleans Fire Department and Louisiana State Police Aviation Division. On occasion, vintage and stunt aircraft participating in airshows connected to groups like the Commemorative Air Force have experienced mishaps requiring investigation under Federal Aviation Regulations.

Role in Hurricane Katrina and Recovery

When Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, the airport's low elevation and lakeside exposure led to significant flooding and structural damage, paralleling impacts at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and coastal facilities in St. Bernard Parish. The site became part of broader recovery and resilience planning involving the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Army Corps of Engineers, and state agencies, serving as a staging area for relief flights and restoration work. Post-Katrina redevelopment discussions engaged stakeholders including the Cities of New Orleans planning offices, preservation advocates like the Louisiana Landmarks Society, and federal grant programs such as those administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Cultural and Community Use

Beyond aviation, the airport hosts cultural events tying to New Orleans institutions like New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival adjacent programming, automotive events that attract participants from the Southeastern Conference region, and film shoots linked to productions from studios like Warner Bros. and Universal Pictures. The airport's open spaces have been used for community gatherings coordinated with groups such as the New Orleans Museum of Art and civic organizations including The Historic New Orleans Collection. Its hangars and terminal have been venues for markets, art exhibitions, and concerts connected to performers and institutions like Preservation Hall and festivals honoring local traditions such as Mardi Gras.

Category:Airports in Louisiana Category:Buildings and structures in New Orleans