DOT Reopens Gulfport-Biloxi And Lafayette Regional

Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta Thursday announced what he said was continued progress in rebuilding the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast's transportation system, including the return of passenger flights to the area and the arrival of the first Department of Transportation ship to aid recovery efforts. 

"Every day we are making more progress in repairing the transportation systems destroyed by Hurricane Katrina," Mineta said. "It is our goal to help restore stability and quality of life to the people of the Gulf Coast as quickly as possible." 

Commercial flights began serving the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport today, the first since the airport was severely damaged last Monday.  Northwest and Mesa Airlines each flew one round-trip flight between Mississippi's Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport and Memphis, Tennessee.  In addition, starting today the Department's Federal Aviation Administration will be operating the Lafayette Regional Airport 24 hours a day to accommodate air cargo operations from New Orleans that have been displaced by Katrina.

FMI: www.dot.gov