Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is getting ready to bring in the wrecking crews, with large portions of its aging south terminal headed for demolition under a long-running master plan. The work will zero in on Concourses A and B and is meant to clear space for new hangars, air cargo facilities and private aviation operations. Airport leaders say the teardown is part of a broader push to redevelop the south campus to support maintenance, training and aviation industry jobs as the region grows.
As reported by NOLA.com, bids have already been solicited and officials expect work to begin within months. The City of New Orleans procurement site lists an invitation to bid for “Concourse A & B Demolition” that calls for vertical demolition to five feet below grade, hazardous material abatement and removal of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.
What the south campus could become
MSY aviation director Kevin Dolliole has said the cleared land is slated for aircraft maintenance operations, expanded air cargo, private hangars and a school for aircraft mechanics. In a press release, Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport framed the demolition as a key move to attract aeronautical businesses and create jobs across the region, turning the old south side into a working hub rather than a relic of past terminal layouts.
Timeline and who’s bidding
The city’s bid listing sets a July 9, 2026 proposal deadline and an intent-to-award letter in August, which places contract awards and preconstruction work in the heart of this summer. Contractors including The McDonnel Group have already posted trade-partner solicitations and scheduled informational meetings for SLDBE firms as teams come together to respond. Third-party procurement summaries note that the work must comply with FAA airfield operational requirements and MSY safety protocols while the airport keeps daily operations going, with those details available through public procurement listings.
How this fits into MSY's growth plans
FAA preliminary enplanement data show MSY handled about 6.54 million departing passengers in 2024 and roughly 6.22 million in 2025. Airport planners have warned that MSY could eventually need 10 to 15 additional gates and a second terminal if passenger growth climbs back toward a projected 9.7 million enplanements, a scenario laid out in the airport master plan release.
What will remain and next steps
Officials say parts of the older south terminal will stay in place to support aircraft servicing and repair even as concourses are removed, according to NOLA.com. Procurement packages and third-party summaries outline phased work and hazardous-material abatement steps aimed at limiting traveler disruption and keeping the airfield running while the demolition unfolds.
The project remains in the procurement phase for now, with bid openings and informational sessions this month expected to reveal which contractors are serious contenders. Airport officials and the New Orleans Aviation Board say they plan to provide public updates as contracts are awarded and demolition schedules are locked in.
