What Lafayette Regional Airport does

Lafayette Regional Airport (LFT) is a publicly owned primary commercial service airport operated by the Lafayette Airport Commission, situated on 1,116 acres in Lafayette, Louisiana. The facility serves as the regional air transportation hub for the Acadiana region's 625,000+ residents across eight parishes, strategically positioned at the intersection of I-10 and I-49 midway between Houston and New Orleans. The airport's core infrastructure comprises three runways (8,001 ft, 5,401 ft, and 4,099 ft) with ILS capability on Runway 22L supporting ½-mile visibility operations, a 24/7 ARFF Index B capability provided by Rural Metro Corporation, and FAA Air Traffic Control tower operations from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily. The airport moved 297,706 enplaned passengers in 2025 across scheduled service from three airline partners — American Airlines (Dallas-Fort Worth and Charlotte), Delta Airlines (Atlanta), and United Airlines (Houston) — with at least 18 daily domestic flights.

The airport generates revenue through a diversified transaction-based model: airline landing and terminal fees plus passenger facility charges from the three carrier partners; non-aeronautical concessions including 966 parking spaces managed by Republic Parking, six on-site car rental brands, the Acadiana Tap House restaurant and lounge, and an expanded gift shop; cargo handling fees from FedEx and UPS Next-Day Air Gateway operations (~9.5M lbs enplaned, ~15M lbs deplaned in 2025); general aviation FBO services through Signature Flight with 24/7 fueling, hangar space, and crew amenities; and property leasing across multiple airport-owned buildings and vacant parcels. Supporting ecosystem tenants include two flight training operators (Acadian Aviation, Owens Flight Training), South Louisiana Community College's Aviation Maintenance Technology program, and a University of Louisiana at Lafayette partnership, collectively sustaining over 1,500 on-airport jobs. The 25-person Lafayette Airport Commission staff provides direct governance, with Executive Director Steven L. Picou leading capital planning, environmental compliance, security coordination, and tenant relations.

The airport completed a new terminal in January 2022 — on time and under budget per Louisiana DOTD recognition — modernizing passenger amenities with 1 Gbps WiFi, in-seat charging, Mother's Rooms, a Service Animal Relief Area, and an expanded secure-area gift shop. Subsequent capacity additions in March and April 2026 (United's evening IAH flight and American's evening DFW flight) signal continued airline demand for LFT, and the airport's distribution geography and FAA designation as a primary commercial service airport constitute its principal competitive position.

Name

Lafayette Regional Airport

Legal name

Lafayette Regional Airport

Website

https://lftairport.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1930

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lafayette Regional Airport is a publicly owned FAA primary commercial service airport in Lafayette, Louisiana, operating scheduled passenger flights on American, Delta, and United to four U.S. hub cities, plus cargo (FedEx/UPS), general aviation FBO services, and flight training for the Acadiana region's 625,000+ residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Airport Operations and Aviation Services

NAICS

Airport Operations (48811), Other Airport Operations (488119)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Aviation Terminals & FBO Services (THABAFAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Airport Ground Transport Terminals (Rail/Bus/Coach) (THAIALAG)

Keywords

• Commercial aviation services
• Airport terminal operations
• General aviation services
• Air cargo handling
• Flight training services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lafayette

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Passenger Airline Operations: Revenue from commercial airline operations including landing fees, terminal fees, and passenger facility charges from American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines serving four destination cities with at least 18 daily domestic flights.
2. Terminal Concessions: Revenue from terminal concessions including restaurant/lounge operations (Acadiana Tap House), shopping/gift shop, and other retail services within the terminal.
3. Ground Transportation & Parking: Revenue from parking operations (short-term and long-term lots with 966 spaces) managed by Republic Parking, and ground transportation services.
4. Car Rental Concessions: Revenue from car rental concessions including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz, National, and Enterprise with counters in the terminal.
5. General Aviation Services: Revenue from FBO services (Signature Flight), corporate aviation tenants, flight schools, and private aircraft operations.
6. Cargo Operations: Revenue from cargo operations including FedEx and UPS Next-Day Air Gateways handling enplaned and deplaned cargo.
7. Property Leasing: Revenue from leasing airport property and buildings including 101 Tower Drive, 119 Shepard Drive (12,240 sq ft office/hangar space), 1931 SE Evangeline Thruway, and vacant land (6.81 acres and 14 acres at Grissom Drive).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Lafayette Regional Airport operates as a primary commercial service and general aviation airport providing scheduled passenger airline service (American, Delta, United), general aviation FBO services through Signature Flight, cargo operations via FedEx and UPS Next-Day Air Gateways, and on-airport amenities including parking, car rentals, dining, and free WiFi. The airport serves as the regional transportation hub for Acadiana's 625,000+ residents with flights to four U.S. hub cities.

Product overview

Lafayette Regional Airport operates as a primary commercial service and general aviation airport with a single integrated facility. The airport's core offerings include scheduled commercial passenger airline service (American Airlines, Delta, United), general aviation operations with FBO services, and cargo operations via FedEx and UPS. Supporting services include flight training schools, parking managed by Republic Parking, car rentals, ground transportation, restaurant/lounge, shopping, complimentary WiFi, and accessibility accommodations. The airport serves over 400,000 travelers annually with flights to four U.S. cities offering connections worldwide. The recently completed new terminal (opened January 2022) added modern passenger amenities including charging stations, expanded dining and retail, mother's rooms, and service animal relief areas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Commercial Passenger Service Scheduled commercial airline flights operated by American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines to four major domestic destinations with connecting service to global points. Serves business and leisure travelers in the Acadiana region of southwest Louisiana.
• General Aviation Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 457,054 passengers served in 2022 with growth to over 400,000 annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers21 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Signature FlightcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSignature Flight operates as Lafayette Regional Airport's premier full service FBO with 24/7 operations. The company provides superior service including aircraft fueling (BP brand fuel), quick turns, pilot lounge, crew cars, and hangar space from their state-of-the-art facility at 123 Grissom Drive. Operations are managed by General Manager John Harrison.
• FedExcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFedEx operates a Next-Day Air Gateway cargo facility at LFT located at 2201 SE Evangeline Thruway, Bldg. B. Provides domestic package services (1-800-463-3339), freight services (Ground/LTL: 1-866-393-4585, Air/Ocean: 1-800-463-3339), and international export/import services.
• UPScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUPS operates a Next-Day Air Gateway cargo facility at LFT located at 2201 SE Evangeline Thruway, Bldg. A. Provides domestic services under 150 lbs (1-800-PICK-UPS), freight services over 150 lbs (Ground/LTL: 1-800-333-7400, Air/Ocean: 1-866-696-3656), and international services.
• Rural Metro CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRural Metro Corporation provides Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) services for Lafayette Regional Airport. The Arizona-based company operates in 400+ communities across the US and Latin America. Firefighters work in rotation 24 hours each day, ready for immediate response, with all personnel certified as Emergency Medical Technicians. Fire Chief Mike Stropola leads the department.
• Acadian Aviation Pilot Training CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcadian Aviation Pilot Training Center is Lafayette's premiere flight training facility and the only full-time flight training provider in Acadiana. Located at 123 Grissom Drive with contact Raja Gharazeddine. Students can fly on their own schedule rather than working around school schedules.
• Owens Flight TrainingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOwens Flight Training at 114 Borman Drive offers private pilot license and instrument rating courses with certified instructors providing tools and training for written and field flying tests.
• Republic Parking ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRepublic Parking manages parking operations at LFT including short-term and long-term lots with 966 total spaces. Executive offices in Chattanooga, TN. Contact: 337-237-9664. Accepts cash and credit cards (MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover).
• South Louisiana Community College Aviation Maintenance Technology DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAviation maintenance technology training program at 118 Shepard Drive. Facilities Director: Joel Matte. Provides workforce development for aviation maintenance careers.
• Lafayette Parish Sheriff's OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLafayette Parish Sheriff's Office provides security for the terminal building and adjacent property at the airport, working with TSA to ensure safety of persons and property in air transportation per TSA Security Screening checkpoint requirements.
• University of Louisiana at LafayetteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLouisiana's second largest university located in Lafayette, representing a key industry partner and major employer in the region served by the airport.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Signature Flight Support: Global FBO operator already present as Lafayette Regional Airport's FBO tenant, representing a key business partner and adjacent service provider whose network and brand presence influence LFT's general aviation offering.

Direct peers

• Monroe Regional Airport: Louisiana regional commercial service airport serving northeast Louisiana with similar American/Delta service footprint, comparable passenger scale, and analogous regional hub-and-spoke operating model to LFT.
• Lake Charles Regional Airport: Smaller Louisiana regional commercial service airport serving the southwest Louisiana petrochemical corridor with American and United service, comparable FBO operations, and similar mid-size airport operating model to LFT.
• Mobile Regional Airport: Gulf Coast regional commercial service airport serving Mobile, Alabama with American, Delta, and United service at similar passenger volumes to LFT, competing for the same regional business travel and leisure market in the northern Gulf region.
• Shreveport Regional Airport: Louisiana regional commercial service airport in the northwest part of the state, offering scheduled service through American, Delta, and United with comparable passenger volumes (~300-400K annually) and a similar mix of general aviation and commercial operations.
• Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport: Louisiana's other primary commercial service airport located ~60 miles east of LFT in the state capital, serving a comparable catchment with similar American/Delta/United service model and overlapping airline partnerships — the closest direct competitor for Acadiana-origin travelers.
• Alexandria International Airport: Central Louisiana regional airport with scheduled commercial service and significant general aviation / military activity (adjacent to England Airpark), serving a comparable catchment size and offering parallel FBO and military operations.
• Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport: Mississippi Gulf Coast regional commercial service airport with comparable American/Delta/United service, similar scale, and a parallel mix of commercial passenger, general aviation, and military (Naval Construction Battalion Center) operations.

Broad incumbents

• George Bush Intercontinental Airport (Houston): Major Texas hub airport operated by the Houston Airport System, serving as the primary alternative hub for Acadiana-region travelers and offering substantially broader nonstop route options that compete with LFT's connecting service model.
• Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport: Louisiana's primary large-hub airport and the dominant air service provider for southeast Louisiana, representing the major incumbent competitor whose extensive route network and lower fares directly compete with LFT for Acadiana travelers willing to drive 2+ hours east.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LFTAirport

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lafayette Regional Airport