For Immediate Release
May 17, 2006

CHANGE IS IN THE AIR FOR PARISH AIRPORT

(Opelousas) - The St. Landry Parish Airport Authority has announced Eastern Aviation Fuel as the new fuel provider for the airport. The decision was made after a bid process and the announcement was made during this month’s Airport Authority meeting on May 8th.  St. Landry Parish Airport Interim Manager Travis Hallum added that full use of the new fuel system is expected within the next month. 

The new fuel system will provide pilots with 24-hour fuel service providing both AVGas and JetA fuels. The fuel will be pumped into the two 12,000 gallon fuel tanks which were installed at the airport in March.  

In addition to discussing a fuel provider, the Airport Authority hopes to improve access to the airport by supporting a proposal that would extend the Airport Service road east to I-49, ultimately creating an Airport Blvd.  Plans for the road expansion were introduced during the May meeting by Vince Nicholson, a realtor with Coldwell Bankers.

 With the Airport Authority working on improvements and additions for the airport, the Authority and other members of the aviation community believe the time has come for an Airport Blvd.

 “Everyone on the airport authority hopes that the boulevard will assist in bringing in new industries that would not otherwise locate without easier access to I-49,” said Hallum.

 The airport serves various aircraft: On a recent day, two Citation X jets landed at the airport. Ultralights, helicopters, homebuilt aircraft, and crop dusters fly there as well.

 Recently, the airport has seen an increase in air traffic.  Corporations, food chain store retailers, and emergency response agencies rely on the St. Landry Parish Airport as an alternative to traveling through major airports. Valero Refinery, the Krotz Springs based oil refinery, utilizes the airport.  Other companies include Acadian Ambulance, Union Tank, Cooper Cameron, Cabot Corporation, Stage, and Brookshire Foods/Super One Foods.  

 "The airport plays a larger role in economic development of the parish that most people are aware of,” said Hallum. “It can be a powerful tool for attracting new businesses.”

 In addition to fuel sales, the airport generates revenue from airplane hangar rentals, land leases, and aircraft parking fees.  About $3,000 per month is also allocated to the airport from a mandated .5 percent of the 4 percent racino funds that the parish gets from the Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino.

 The St. Landry Parish Airport has been around since the 1940s, when the parish purchased the site for $100,000. Ahart Field sits on about 650 acres at 299 Hangar Road, which is located off Hwy. 749, also known as the Airport Road.

 Members of the St. Landry Parish Airport Authority include Carlos Polotzola, Mike Thibodeaux, Tom Burdick, Charles Renaud, Madeline Taylor, Stephen Woods, George Gennuso, Ellis Fontenot and George Ramier. Councilman Bruce Boudreaux is Ex-Officio. The Airport Authority meets in the airport’s terminal building every second Monday of the month. For more information about the St. Landry Parish Airport Ahart Field, contact Travis Hallum at (337) 407-1551.