Record Crowd Passes through Armstrong International Airport

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  February 5, 2013

(NEW ORLEANS, LA) - As the last passengers are returning home today from the world's largest sporting event, the Armstrong International Airport has processed a record number of passengers through its facility.  On Monday, February 4, there were 40,561 processed through the airport, the highest number of passengers in its 67-year history. With the record crowd, there were no significant issues reported with crowds passing through security in less than an hour at peak times. In preparation for Monday's massive crowd, the airport in conjunction with the TSA doubled the number of passenger screening lanes to meet the outbound demand of Super Bowl Travelers and added additional baggage screening equipment.  In addition, TSA checkpoints remained open around the clock from Sunday morning until after the last flight departed on Monday.  Concessions remained open with certain locations remaining open all night to meet every traveler's needs. 

"We anticipated that we would have record crowds in the airport and took the necessary steps in advance to adequately accommodate all of our passengers," says Aviation Director Iftikhar Ahmad. "This is true example of the great staff and personnel that we have here at Armstrong International Airport. Each member of staff from accountants to engineers to maintenance employees were on the floor working together to ensure that everything went off without any problems, and I am very proud of our entire team. "

Armstrong International Airport Super Bowl XLVII Statistics:

• Processed 40,561 passengers from after Super Bowl until the last flight departed on Monday
• Airline ticket Counters remained open 24 hours per day
• 170 Airport Employees and 305 Volunteers from the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and Super Bowl Host Committee were stationed through the airport

• Checkpoints:

o Checkpoint A (4 lanes) - longest wait time = 13 minutes; average wait time = 2 minutes
o Checkpoint B (5 lanes) - longest wait time = 12 minutes; average wait time = 3 minutes
o Checkpoint C (4 lanes) - longest wait time = 7 minutes; average wait time = 1 minute
o Checkpoint D (5 lanes) - longest wait time = 50 minutes; average wait time = 7 minutes
o Delta Expansion (2 lanes) - longest wait time = 20 minutes; average wait time = 2 minutes
o FIS/Customs (5 lanes) - longest wait time = 8 minutes; average wait time = 1 minute

• Concessions: All 47 stores remained open

• More than 135 general aviation departures after Super Bowl thru Monday, February 4
• Cleaning Contractors worked around the clock to ensure airport remained clean
• 89 police officers were stationed at the airport on Monday, February 4
• 35 Taxi starters and security guards were utilized
• 849 special event decals were issued to limousines and buses
• 9,092 taxi trips were made throughout Super Bowl Weekend - Thursday, January 31 - Saturday, February 2

"We are ready to host the next Super Bowl in New Orleans, which we hope will be in 2018," Ahmad added.

The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport underwent a $300 million terminal modernization program that was completed in advance of Super Bowl XLVII.  The airport is expected to bring in $74.4 million in total revenue, up from $69.2 million in 2012.

Tomorrow, the airport will gear up to receive the thousands of travelers coming in town for the remainder of the 2013 Carnival Season. More than 1 million visitors are expected to make the trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras.  The airport staff is ready to welcome all Carnival visitors.