A group of economic development organizations in Baton Rouge and New Orleans is lobbying Air France to bring nonstop air service to New Orleans.
In a letter Monday to the vice president of Air France-KLM for the U.S., CODOFIL President William Arceneaux stresses the cultural and economic connections between France and Louisiana as the basis for establishing a direct flight between New Orleans and Paris.
“Our state tourism department tells us that among European visitors to Louisiana, the French are number one,” writes Arceneaux, who is also on the board of directors of the French American Chamber of Commerce for the Gulf Coast Region. “When one adds to the mix the many French companies doing business in Louisiana, and the fact that the greater New Orleans area is one of the fastest growing economies in America, the opportunities for flight and freight patrons are attractive.”
Arceneaux says CODOFIL and the chamber have been working on the initiative for the past year with leaders from Louisiana Economic Development, GNO Inc. and the Greater New Orleans Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
CODOFIL is the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana, a 47-year-old statewide organization.
New Orleans’ Louis Armstrong International Airport recently lost its bid to secure direct service between New Orleans and London on British Airways. Those working on the effort said at the time they were also in talks with other international air carriers about establishing direct air service between New Orleans and a major European city.
Developing international service at the New Orleans airport has become a priority of the Super Region Committee, an economic development agency with representatives from New Orleans, Baton Rouge and communities along the Interstate 10/12 corridor. The focus comes as the region tries to attract and retain large companies, most of which need and want easy access to direct flights.
Baton Rouge Area Chamber President and CEO Adam Knapp says efforts to grow the New Orleans airport do not necessarily come at the expense of the Baton Rouge Metro Airport, which is trying to recapture the large share of local business travelers who opt to use the New Orleans airport over Baton Rouge’s.
—Stephanie Riegel
