Demonstrating their commitment to remain in the Crescent City, executives with Million Air New Orleans are well underway with reconstruction on their fixed-base operations (FBO) facility at Lakefront Airport. The first phase of reconstruction includes an extensive refurbishment of the well-known Moffett hangar.

The Moffett hangar opened in February 1934, in conjunction with the dedication of Lakefront Airport, which was then referred to as the "Airport of the Americas." Named in honor of Rear Admiral William Moffett, the father naval aviation, the hangar has weathered numerous hurricanes during its 72-year-history and maintained its original design.

When Hurricane Katrina hit on Aug. 28, 2005, Moffett was one of three hangars that sustained millions of dollars in wind and flood damage. Phase 1 reconstruction on the Moffett hangar began in mid-January and will be ready by the end of spring. In addition, runway lights have been fully restored to Lakefront since mid-February.

Later this spring, Million Air will break ground on phase 2 - construction of a completely new, state-of-the-art jet center, which includes the main executive terminal, multiple hangars and office space. Collectively, both reconstruction phases will run into the millions of dollars to complete.

"Lakefront Airport is critical to the business, convention and sporting event infrastructure of New Orleans," said Addie Fanguy, vice president and general manager of Million Air New Orleans.

"Million Air has historically been, and will be, an integral part of Lakefront Airport's future."

Hurricane Katrina forced Million Air New Orleans to close its doors for nearly two months. In order to reopen for business on Oct. 19, 2005, the FBO set up a 2,200-square-foot, professionally decorated modular office space and installed new skidded fuel tanks, as well as purchased new fuel trucks and ground support equipment.

Lakefront Airport now is open 24 hours a day with GPS and VOR/DME approaches to runways 36L/18R. Located at 5801 Walter Beach Drive, Million Air moved to the south end of the airport on Taxiway Foxtrot on the west side of the main terminal building. Million Air serviced First Lady Laura Bush's 737 two weeks ago and is operating at 100 percent with Hertz Rental vehicles on site.

FMI: www.millionair.com