Million Air New Orleans recently became the first and only fixed-base operations (FBO) facility at Lakefront Airport to officially reopen its doors in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the Louisiana/Mississippi coast in late August.

Million Air New Orleans shut down on Aug. 28 after sustaining damages resulting from wind and rising water.

Management at Million Air New Orleans worked closely with Airport Director Randolph Taylor and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to get the airport and FBO reopened quickly.

Million Air New Orleans set up 2,100 square feet of modular office space, installed new skidded fuel tanks and purchased new fuel trucks. The airport received a $6.8 million grant from the FAA for immediate needs to replace damaged signs, generators, as well as to reinforce the sea wall on the north end of the airport's boundaries.

With these preliminary measures in place, the airport and Million Air New Orleans officially reopened on Oct. 19.

"Even though we are operating only during daytime hours, the runways and taxiways are all in good condition," said Addie Fanguy, general manager of Million Air New Orleans. "The state of the airport's infrastructure is strong, safe and secure. We are ready for more business." Million Air New Orleans' base customers are slowly returning to the airport.

"Million Air's quick reopening was a good shot in the arm for the airport to reopen its doors, as well," Taylor said. "There was very little reason to open without being able to offer customers fuel or access to FBO services. Million's Air quick response was a tremendous boost and we look forward to increased business from this day forward."

Fanguy said they will break ground on a new FBO in January 2006.

Million Air New Orleans, with a new location at 5801 Walter Beech Street, is one of 32 FBOs housed under Houston-based Million Air Interlink. Million Air Interlink provides upscale, private aviation services to individuals and corporations in North America and the Caribbean.

FMI: www.millionair.com