*For transportation questions, citizens can call 504-658-8000.*
Airports & Airlines
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
Statement Regarding Announcement of Heightened Security Level
Sean Hunter, Interim Director of Aviation for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport has issued the following statement concerning the August 10, 2006, announcement by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security:
"The New Orleans Aviation Board is fully committed to assisting the Department of Homeland Security in maintaining the highest level of security at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. We will be working closely with the TSA to ensure our compliance with any new requirements. We apologize for any inconvenience to our customers. Please allow extra time for possible delays due to these changes in procedures."
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has raised the national threat level from Alert Level Yellow to Alert Level Orange. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is advising that no liquids or gels of any kind will be permitted in carry on baggage, or carried through the security checkpoint or carried onboard aircraft. Those items are instead allowed in checked baggage, which passengers cannot access in flight. Prohibited items include all beverages, shampoo, sun tan lotion, creams, tooth paste, hair gel and other items of similar consistency. Exceptions include baby formula and medicines, which must be presented for inspection at the checkpoint.
Passengers are encouraged to arrive at the airport at least two hours before their flights, as the changes will result in longer screening times. For further information, contact the Public Relations Office of the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport at 504-464-3547.
Flight Service Information
On February 5, 2007, the airport welcomed ExpressJet Airlines to New Orleans. ExpressJet will begin service Summer 2007 and will offer non-stop service to Austin, San Antonio, Kansas City, Mo., Birmingham, Jacksonville, Fl., and Raleigh-Durham with 12 flights per day. With these ExpressJet flights, Armstrong International Airport will have 121 daily departures to 38 destinations with over 13,700 seats pushing Armstrong to the 75% mark of percentage of flights returned to the city.
On Nov. 14, 2006, the New Orleans Aviation Board approved an air service initiative program to help promote increased air service to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Click here for more information.
The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is open and operating. 10 of the 13 airlines that provided service to it pre-Katrina are currently servicing it: AirTran, American, Continental, Delta, Jet Blue, Northwest, Southwest, TED, United and US Airways. Food and Beverage, News and Gift, and banking services are available at the airport.
As of December 2006, the airport had the following:
- 109 daily departures or over 67% of its Pre-Katrina level of flight operations
- 12,842 seats or more than 62% of its Pre-Katrina level of seats
- 32 cities or 76% of its Pre-Katrina level of cities served
For air service updates as of December 2006, please click here.
For the latest flight information, refer to your airlines' web site or reservations number or the Airport's web site.
Airport Access
All the normal routes to/from the airport are open. Taxi cab, shuttle and rental car services are available.
Airport Shuttle, Inc., is the official ground transportation for Louis Armstrong International Airport, with service to and from New Orleans' hotels and other designated locations. Fare is $13.00 each way. No reservations are required.
The Jefferson Transit (JET) Airport bus runs to Tulane at Carrollton, providing two transfer points to/from Jefferson Parish via the RTA’s St. Charles and Louisiana bus lines, respectively. For a current schedule for the E-2 Airport route, click here.
NOTE: As of May 18, 2006, the speed limit on the Airport Access Road connecting I-10 to the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport was raised from 35 MPH to 45 MPH. The 45 MPH speed limit is only in place on the north-south portion of the roadway and reduces to 25 MPH as you approach the curve on the southern end. The speed limit on the east-west portion as you near the terminal building remains at 25 MPH. This east-west portion of the roadway remains undivided.
Parking
Both parking garages are open. There was no flooding at the airport, and most vehicles there sustained no damage. If you haven’t already done so, the airport encourages you to retrieve your vehicle. Vehicles that were parked in the airport garages prior to the storm (August 29th) will be charged at the normal rates for each day - $15/day for short-term and $10/day for long-term). For example if you parked your vehicle on August 27th, and picked it up now, it would cost two days worth of charges (charges for the 27th and 28th). Vehicles parked in the garages after the storm will pay the normal rates for each garage. This is subject to change without notice. If you are unable to retrieve your vehicle for some time, it will be in the same place in our parking facilities. Security is patrolling the garages. If it will be a long time before you can retrieve your vehicle, please e-mail fparker@parking.com - Only use this e-mail for extenuating circumstances.
Ground Transportation
There are taxi cabs available on the lower level. Public buses have resumed limited service (see Local Public Transit, below). Rental Cars are now available. Airport Shuttle has resumed service to/from the hotels throughout the Metropolitan area. The Airport Shuttle booths are open in the baggage claim area for local transportation. They are also providing transportation to/from all of Southeast Louisiana as well as the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Reservations are needed for these type of transports. Please call (504) 465-9780 between 9AM and 6PM for reservations.
Other Area Airports
The following airports are open, but may be limited to visual and/or daytime operations:
Houma Terrebonne Airport (HUM)
Naval Air Station Alvin Callendar (NBG)
Chennault International, Lake Charles(CWF)
Northshore Regional, Hammond (HDC)
Thibodaux Municipal Airport (L83)
Slidell Airport (ASD)
Cruise Lines
*Please contact your cruise line directly for updates.*
Norwegian Cruise Lines - NCL was the first cruise line to homeport in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina. NCL's Norwegian Sun returned to the Port of New Orleans on October 15, 2006, to sail seven-day exotic Western Caribbean cruises. Norwegian Sun's seven-day itinerary out of New Orleans runs Oct. 15 - Apr. 8 and calls on Costa Maya, Mexico; Santo Tomas De Castilla, Guatemala; Belize City, Belize and Cozumel, Mexico. Norwegian Sun, launched in 2001, is NCL's first purpose-built Freestyle Cruising vessel.
Norwegian Spirit, which also features NCL’s signature Freestyle Cruising, drops anchor in the Big Easy beginning in November 2007 sailing seven-day exotic Western Caribbean cruises through April 2008. Norwegian Spirit ’s itinerary features calls into Belize City, Santo Tomas, Guatemala and Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico. After the 2007 summer deployment out of New York, Norwegian Spirit repositions to New Orleans beginning November 18 replacing Norwegian Sun, which moves to Hawai`i for the winter season.
For further information, please contact NCL in the U.S. and Canada at (800) 327-7030 or visit NCL's website at www.ncl.com.
Carnival Cruise Lines - Carnival Conquest cruises departing September 11, 2005, and beyond are operating round trip from Galveston, Texas. Contact your travel agent or Carnival Cruise Lines directly for more information about specific cruises.
Carnival Cruise Lines chartered the Sensation, Holiday, and Ecstasy to the Military Sealift Command (MSC) on behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as part of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The Holiday resumed year-round, four-and five-day cruises from Mobile, Ala., March 27, 2006; the Fantasy launched four- and five-day service from New Orleans Oct. 26, 2006 (the Fantasy replaces normal service provided by the Sensation prior to Hurricane Katrina); and the Ecstasy began four- and five-day service from Galveston April 8, 2006. Elation, which replaced the Ecstasy on four- and five-day cruises from Galveston, continued that program through April 3, then repositioned to Miami for its new seven-day cruise program beginning April 30.
Carnival Cruise Lines passengers can Click here for more information about cruise operations or call 1-800-CARNIVAL.
Royal Caribbean - Royal Caribbean International resumed seven day cruises from New Orleans to the Western Caribbean on Dec. 2, 2006, with the Grandeur of the Seas.
For more information, visit the Royal Caribbean Web site or call 866-562-7625.
RiverBarge Excursion Lines - The R/B River Explorer continued its journeys to New Orleans and the Texas Gulf Coast through late 2005 and into 2006. The 198-guest R/B River Explorer has been operating its scheduled "Delta South" and "Cajuns and Creoles" excursions.
For further information and reservations, call a travel professional or 1-888-GO BARGE, (1-888-462-2743) or visit the web site at www.riverbarge.com.
Delta Queen Steamboat Company - The Mississippi Queen and Delta Queen were not be able to operate on their regularly scheduled late fall and winter cruises in 2005. Most of these trips traditionally feature New Orleans as one or both of their gateways. During mid- to late-November, scheduled voyages that used New Orleans as a gateway were changed to an alternate location, in most cases Memphis.
All American Queen cruises were canceled through March 6, 2006.
The American Queen opens the 2007 season on March 9 with a series of Spring Pilgrimage cruises out of New Orleans during March and April, followed by 3- and 4- night cruises through May, that are part of the popular New Orleans & Riverboat Adventure Week land and cruise package, combining the best of New Orleans with a riverboat cruise.
The Delta Queen begins her season on March 17 with several cruises between New Orleans and Memphis in March and April, taking passengers to explore the beauty and history of the Old South along the lower Mississippi River.
The Mississippi Queen returns to New Orleans for her first cruise on April 15, heading upriver for the annual Quilting Conference in Paducah, Ky., followed by her return to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby Run for the Roses, then to New Orleans in June for several cruises, including the annual Great Steamboat Race with the Delta Queen.
The Delta Queen's 6-night cruise and Mississippi Queen's 7-night cruise (Thanksgiving cruise) from Memphis to New Orleans departed on Nov. 19, 2006. The American Queen's 8-night cruise from St. Louis to New Orleans departed on Nov. 19, 2006, as well.
Click here to view the new brochure with 2007 schedules Advance Purchase discounts and information about the many exciting themes for the Delta Queen, Mississippi Queen and American Queen. Contact a travel agent for more information, visit the Delta Queen Steamboat Company Web site or call 800-543-1949.
Steamboat Natchez - After a Hurricane Relief Tour that stopped in 8 cities, the Steamboat Natchez returned on November 22, 2005 to New Orleans. The boat raised awareness of the spirit and culture of New Orleans, while raising funds for the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund.
She resumed her Winter Schedule on Friday, November 25: Harbor Cruises at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, and Dinner Jazz Cruises on Friday and Saturday evenings at 7 p.m.
For more information and reservations, visit www.SteamboatNatchez.com or call 800-233-2628 or 504-569-1480.
Private charters are also availabe. For Reservations, call 1-800-233-2628, extension 416, or visit www.TallStacks.com.
The Cotton Blossom - This historic paddlewheeler is open for cruises and charters up the Tchefuncte River.
For more information, visit www.cottonblossom.org.
Magnolia Belle - The paddlewheeler is open for cruises and charters on Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi and Tchefuncte Rivers.
For more information, visit www.magnoliabelle.org.
Rail Service
Amtrak - The City of New Orleans is running again to Memphis and Chicago, while the Crescent has resumed its regular route to Atlanta and New York.
Amtrak resumed passenger rail service to New Orleans Saturday, Oct. 8, 2006, when the City of New Orleans arrived at 4:03 p.m frfom Chicago. On Sunday, Oct. 9, 2006, Amtrak's first train to depart New Orleans since Katrina - the Crescent - left en route to Meridian, Miss., Birmingham, Ala., Atlanta and other stops on the way to New York.
For more information, visit the AMTRAK Web site.
The Union Passenger Terminal (UPT) - UPT is served by the # 101 Algiers Loop and the # 102 General Meyer bus lines. The inbound stop – that is “towards Canal Street” – is across street from the UPT on Loyola Avenue. The corresponding outbound stop – towards & across the river – is on South Rampart, a block away.
Greyhound Bus Terminal - Daily bus service to and from New Orleans began on October 31, 2005. Two buses are schedule to arrive and depart daily from the city. One bus is scheduled to leave Baton Rouge at 10:15 a.m., arriving in New Orleans at 12:15 p.m. A second bus is scheduled to depart Houston, TX for New Orleans with stops in Baytown, Beaumont, Port Arthur, TX, Lake Charles, Lafayette, and Baton Rouge. Passengers departing New Orleans can board at the Loyola Avenue station for departures to Baton Rouge at 12:45 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Port of New Orleans
The Port re-opened to cargo traffic on September 14, 2006.
On Oct. 15, The Norwegian Sun will resume its normal November to May Western Caribbean cruises from New Orleans. Carnival Cruise Lines will restart service from New Orleans on Oct. 26 with the Fantasy replacing the four- and five- day Western Caribbean cruises formerly offered on board the Sensation. Royal Caribbean will return its Grandeur of the Seas for seven-night sailings to the Western Caribbean on Dec 2, 2006. Carnival indicates it intends to resume seven-day cruise service from New Orleans similar to the service provided by the Conquest before Hurricane Katrina. No date has been set for the return of Carnival’s seven day service, but the cruise line is exploring options for doing so as soon as possible.
The Delphin Renaissance, a 600-passenger luxury ship, was the first cruise ship to call on the Port of New Orleans in the post-Katrina era when it docked December 31 at the Thalia Street Wharf alongside the Port’s Administration Building. The Delphin Renaissance was in the midst of an around-the-world voyage. Its passengers visited New Orleans and took part in New Year’s Eve festivities before the ship sailed again on January 1.
The Port has restarted construction on the Erato Street Cruise Terminal and Parking Garage. Expected to be completed in late 2006, the $37 million project includes a 90,000 square foot terminal and a 1,000 vehicle parking garage.
For more information, visit www.portofno.com.
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