In the News

Big money is coming to the Shreveport Airport Authority.

The U.S. Transportation Department is handing over two grants totaling $775-thousand.

$520-thousand will be used to build an 800 foot runway extension at Shreveport Regional Airport.

The rest of the money will be used to update the existing airport master plan to accomodate current and future needs of the airport.

Congressman Mike Johnson says the grants will improve Northwest Louisiana's economy.

"Our business climate is one that we're trying to make more favorable everyday for investment and new job growth and more opportunity for more people," said Johnson. "Having an accessible airport with greater potential bigger flights and more people coming in and out is always gonna be good for the economy and the local community."

The Airport Authority along with Mayor Ollie Tyler and the Ark-La-Tex Regional Air Service Alliance (RASA) also celebrated the first day of direct flights to Charlotte, North Carolina with a grand welcoming for the first 35 passengers to fly from Charlotte to Shreveport.

Jerry Drummond was one of those passengers. "It's nice to go straight back to Shreveport rather than going through Dallas," he said.

American Airlines is offering two daily non-stops to Charlotte.

According to RASA the new flights will bring Shreveport 8 million dollars in revenue each year.

Other places you can fly to directly out of shreveport are Las Vegas, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Orlando and Atlanta.

The raffle for eight round trip tickets to Charlotte, North Carolina is still open until August 31. To register, visit the Shreveport Airport website.