Improvements flying in to airport – restaurants, more flights and more parking

Shreveport Regional Airport hasn’t changed its location, but it has changed — or is in the process of changing — just about everything else.

From restaurants to furniture, it’s out with the old and in with the new.

“We always want everyone coming in and out of Shreveport Regional Airport to have a great experience,” said Mark Crawford, airport business and development manager for the Shreveport Airport Authority. “Over the last five or six years, certain things were neglected. We have a director (Larry Blackwell) now who says he wants this airport to be the best in the state, and the best airport in the country.”

Crawford said departing flights are more than 90-percent full. Through the first six months of this year, 331,828 passengers flew in and out of Shreveport Regional. That’s a 13-percent increase over the first six months of last year and a 2-percent increase over 2019, which set a 19-year high for passenger traffic.

If people have a bad experience or don’t enjoy the food they get or the options they have, they may decide to go to another airport. “There are six or seven other airports within two hours of Shreveport, and (Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport) is three hours away. We want to give people a reason to fly from Shreveport and support their local airport.”

Notini’s traditional muffaletta will be a featured item.

Here’s a look at the many changes which you will notice now, or perhaps into next year:

Eating/Retail Options

Notini’s Italian Restaurant opened in early August, soon after Tacomania and the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf made their debut. A local favorite, Tacomania closed two years ago when the owners retired. However, they have licensed the restaurant’s name and their recipes. Notini’s, a staple on Airline Drive in Bossier City, will serve pizza, Italian salads, po’boys and muffalettas.

“In our customer surveys, Mexican was the number-one requested food type, and Italian was second,” Crawford said.

Next year, Great Raft Brewing is expected to open and have the same look and feel as its location on Dalzell Street.

“Lots of airports you go to now, they have a local brewery tap room. That’s happening all over the country.”

Also in 2025, there will be a Southern Maid kiosk on the first floor.

Shreveport Regional Airport welcomes Tacomania Cantina & Grill.

Tacomania’s sour cream enchiladas with rice and beans.

Notini’s Italian Restaurant opened in early August.

Post-Security Access

Most people aren’t going to buy a plane ticket just to eat or drink or buy an item at one of the above places. So, Shreveport Regional is working to get non-passengers past security — legally. The airport has applied to join a Transportation Security Administration program which would let anyone request a pass in advance, allowing them to go past the security checkpoint, accompany family and friends to their departing gate, and meet them at the gate when they arrive.

“We have moved to the next level of the approval process. We are hopeful that by the end of the year, we will get approval, if not before.”

Additional Flights

American and Delta Air Lines offer nonstop service to Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia, respectively. But you will soon have an additional flight to each city from which to choose.

“In September, American will add a third daily departure to Charlotte, which we’ve been asking for since they started that flight in 2017. In January, Delta will add a fifth daily departure to Atlanta. That will be 150 extra seats a day going out of Shreveport. When we have more seats, we will need more parking,” Crawford said.

Additional Parking

And more parking is on the way, hopefully keeping you from having to leave your car on a curb or in the grass.

Crawford commented, “People are parking under the trees, in the trees, wherever they can find a spot — they will park wherever.”

Now, there are 1,075 (legitimate) parking spaces throughout five lots. That number will increase by next May, which begins the busy summer travel season.

“Later this fall, we will start a multimillion-dollar parking lot project that will add about 300 parking spots to the long-term lot. … This summer, on any given day, we’ve had well over 1,100, 1,200, 1,300 cars, depending on the day, parked in the parking lot. We have needed this expansion for a number of years,” he continued.

And after that project, there will be plans for another parking lot expansion.

More options for locals and travelers.

New Artwork

After a 10-year hiatus, Artport is scheduled to return in June of 2025. A gallery of artwork showcasing local and regional artists will be seen throughout Shreveport Regional.

“We’re looking at ways we can give artists more opportunities to participate in the show,” said Abigail Simmons, Artport director. “This time, rather than just having traditional art — we are going to be still doing that — there will be large-format canvas art, mural art, sculpture art and digital media art.”

The art will be on display until 2028, when it will be replaced with new art.

Relax between flights at one of the airport’s dining spots.

New Furniture

No one wants to sit on furniture from the 1970s, but that’s what some of you have had to do when visiting Shreveport Regional.

“We’re getting more than a million dollars’ worth of new furniture throughout the terminal building,” Crawford said. “That is pre-security furniture in the lower baggage claim area and on the sky bridge. Also, in all of the gate-holding areas on the concourse, there will be new seating everywhere. Some of the seating in the gate areas now is original to the building from 1971 and long overdue for being replaced.”

The furniture, which is expected to be in place by early next year, will have charging ports.

“We want to make sure Shreveport looks the best it can for the residents who are flying out, and for the people coming to visit who have never been to Shreveport.”