disgrace to the city, dirty, ugly

and without any character that

might reflect the ambiance,

cuisine, music or culture of our

city. The airport not only lacked

character but also lacked

non-stop and direct flights to

many major American cities.

Even worse, the economic

impact of the airport was only

about 8,000 jobs and $800

million.

Our administration plunged into the work of rebuilding, expanding and renovating the airport.

We soon announced an $850 million rebuilding program, mostly funded by federal and state funds along with passenger charges. Murals were created showing New Orleans jazz pioneers from Louis Armstrong to Professor Longhair. The airport restaurants began serving tasty helpings of red beans and rice and poboys. Two concourses were rebuilt. Southwest Airlines fell in love with New Orleans and today offers more than 60 daily flights. Six new airlines began service from the airport. Non-stop and direct service across America doubled and then tripled. Passenger volume went from 7 million in 1993 to 10 million in 2002, a 45 percent increase.

In 2001, we re-named the airport the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport on the occasion of the centennial of Armstrong's birth. Two new air cargo facilities were built on airport premises, the first in the facility's 53-year history. The FAA began studying a proposed parallel runway that would double the airport's capacity. We created an airport Disadvantaged Business Enterprises program that generated $30 million in sales for minority and women-owned businesses by 2000.