Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport
Before the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Area's Commercial/General
Aviation Airport became an airport for civilian use, it was a
military installation known as Harding Field, and provided
flight training during World War II. A number of the pilots
which received their training here made history in the aviation
industry.
In August of 1948, under the Surplus Act of 1944, for the
disposition of government surplus airports, airport facilities
and equipment, and to assure their disposition in such a manner
as would best encourage and foster the development of civil
aviation and preserve for national defense purposes a strong,
efficient, and properly maintained nation-wide system of public
airports, Harding Field became a public airport for civilian use
serving the Baton Rouge Metropolitan area.
The airport retained the name of Harding Field until March 10,
1954. On this day, the Parish Council of East Baton Rouge,
acting upon the unanimous recommendation of the East Baton Rouge
Airport Commission, that Harding Field shall in the future be
known as Ryan Airport in memory of Captain William Joseph Ryan.
A plaque containing this resolution which identifies some of
Captain Ryan's contributions and achievements is hung in the
Airport Terminal Building today. More recently, May 13, 1981,
Ryan Airport's name was changed and is now officially Baton
Rouge Metropolitan Airport, Ryan Field. In 1969 the City-Parish
Government saw fit to create an Airport Authority by
establishing Act No. 151 of the 1969 Louisiana Legislative
Session, The Greater Baton Rouge Airport District came into
existence. Members consist of the Mayor and Council of the
Parish of East Baton Rouge and is known as the "Airport
Authority". Seated under this Authority is a twelve member
"Board of Commissioners" which is responsible for recommending
to the Authority the selection of airport sites, and facilities
and for the operation and administration of the airport, and
have all the powers to act as the Governing Authority of the
district as authorized in Act 151. However, the Authority
retains the power to suspend or rescind any action or proposed
action by the Commission.
Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport has experienced various
patterns of growth since its inception in August of 1948. During
the last eight years it has experienced the most growth ever.
The most significant and noticeable projects in the public eye
are the the terminal development program, construction of the
public parking garage, construction of a new terminal access
road, the construction of a new Police / Aircraft Rescue Fire
Fighting building, construction of a new Atlantic Southeast
Airline jet maintenance facility, a new replacement hangar, a
new airfield electrical vault, relocation of runway navigational
aids, reconstruction of taxiway "F", overlay of the south
general aviation apron, installation of EMAS safety system on
runway 13, new drainage system for the air carrier apron,
alternative fuel system pilot program. Total expenditures have
been in excess of sixty million dollars. Funding for these
projects was accomplished through grants from the Federal
Aviation Administration, Louisiana Department of Transportation
and Development, Office of Aviation, and revenues generated from
airport operations.
Most recently, the airport has been involved in acquiring
property located in the noise sensitive areas. These long-range
plans should place the Baton Rouge Metro Airport in the position
to accommodate the air transportation needs of this community
for the next twenty years and beyond.
The Baton Rouge Metro Airport offers passengers a new state of
the art terminal facility, with a wide range of passenger
amenities. The center piece of the terminal is a beautifully
landscaped three story atrium rotunda featuring a food court and
gift shop, with a view of the airfield. Other amenities
currently available include:
Passenger Lounges
First Level News and Gift Shop
ATM
Massage Chairs
Baggage Carts
Vending Machines
Long Distance Phone Card Machines
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