Shreveport Regional Airport

Shreveport Regional Airport
Name	Shreveport Regional Airport
Iata	SHV
Icao	KSHV
Type	Public
City-served	Shreveport, Bossier City
Opened	1952
Owner	Shreveport Airport Authority
Elevation-f	257

Shreveport Regional Airport is a joint civil–military aviation facility serving Shreveport, Bossier City, and the Ark-La-Tex region. The airport functions as a regional hub for commercial carriers and supports Air National Guard and cargo operations, connecting the area to major nodes such as Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, and Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. It occupies a strategic transportation role within Caddo Parish, Louisiana and interfaces with interstate corridors including Interstate 20, Interstate 49, and U.S. Route 71.

History

The airport originated as Barksdale Field-adjacent civil facilities during the postwar aviation expansion that followed World War II. Early development involved cooperation among Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, Caddo Parish Police Jury, and state officials from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. In the jet age the field hosted carriers such as Trans-Texas Airways, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and Continental Airlines, reflecting national trends from the Jet Age and deregulation after the Airline Deregulation Act. Military presence solidified with units tied to the Air National Guard and missions coordinated with Barksdale Air Force Base. Capital improvement programs were funded through municipal bonds overseen by the Shreveport City Council and federal grants from the Federal Aviation Administration. Notable local leaders during expansion included mayors from Shreveport and officials associated with the Shreveport Economic Development Authority. The airport weathered industry shifts following the September 11 attacks and the 2008 financial crisis, adapting routings and carrier mixes in response to airline mergers such as the Delta–Northwest merger, the American–US Airways merger, and the United–Continental merger.

Facilities and Infrastructure

The field comprises three runways surfaced with Asphalt concrete, extensive taxiway systems, and ramp areas that accommodate narrowbody and widebody types including the Boeing 737 family and Airbus A320 family. Terminal facilities incorporate ticketing, baggage systems, security checkpoints aligned with Transportation Security Administration standards, and concessions operated under agreements with firms like SSP Group and Delaware North. Fixed-base operators include companies comparable to Atlantic Aviation and Signature Flight Support, providing maintenance, repair, and overhaul services linked to standards from the Federal Aviation Administration and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. The field supports cargo operations with apron space for freighters tied to logistics partners including FedEx Express, UPS Airlines, and integrators influenced by supply-chain dynamics evident in Amazon Air. Airfield surveillance and navigational aids include Instrument Landing System, Precision Approach Path Indicator, and air traffic services coordinated via the Federal Aviation Administration's Air Traffic Control facilities. Energy and sustainability initiatives have been benchmarked against programs from the Airport Cooperative Research Program and regional utilities like Entergy Corporation.

Airlines and Destinations

Commercial service has historically been provided by legacy carriers and low-cost carriers: examples include Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Allegiant Air. Typical nonstop markets link to hubs such as Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and leisure destinations serviced via Orlando International Airport and Harry Reid International Airport. Charter and seasonal services have connected to Gulfport–Biloxi International Airport and vacation gateways like Cancún International Airport through operators similar to Sun Country Airlines. Regional airline partners have included affiliates of American Eagle Airlines, Delta Connection, and United Express operated by independent regional carriers using aircraft like the Embraer E-Jet family and Bombardier CRJ series.

Statistics

Passenger traffic has exhibited fluctuations tied to national passenger trends reported by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics and the Federal Aviation Administration. Enplanement counts have ranged in the low hundreds of thousands annually, influenced by local economic sectors such as the Petroleum industry in Louisiana and military employment from Barksdale Air Force Base. Aircraft operations combine commercial, cargo, general aviation, and military sorties, with the airport periodically listed in FAA data for operations and based aircraft inventories. Economic impact assessments prepared with input from the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau and academic partners like Louisiana State University Shreveport inform municipal planning and grant applications to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Ground Transportation and Access

Surface access connects the airport to regional road networks including Interstate 20, Interstate 49, U.S. Route 71, and state highways administered by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. Public transit options have been coordinated with Shreveport Transit and paratransit providers, while airport parking and ground transportation services interface with rental car companies such as Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Hertz Corporation, and Avis Budget Group. Taxi and rideshare services operate under municipal permits similar to regulations applied in Metropolitan areas across the United States, and shuttle connections link the terminal to nearby hotels and the Shreveport Convention Center.

Accidents and Incidents

The airport's safety record is documented through investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board and reporting to the Federal Aviation Administration. Incidents have included runway excursions and mechanical emergencies investigated under protocols established after prominent events like the ValuJet Flight 592 accident and regulatory responses such as revisions to 14 CFR Part 121 operational rules. Emergency response coordination involves local agencies including the Caddo Parish Fire District, Shreveport Police Department, and mutual aid partners from Bossier Parish Fire District.

Category:Airports in Louisiana Category:Transportation in Shreveport, Louisiana