The Federal Aviation Administration has named Shreveport Regional Airport as 1999 Airport of the Year for Louisiana.

Shreveport was selected from a field of 62 airports in Louisiana, according to Lacey Spriggs, manager of Louisiana/New Mexico of Airports Development Office for the Federal Aviation Administration. Roy H. Miller, director of airports for the Shreveport Airport Authority, received the award on behalf of the airport staff and board during a FAA conference last week in Ft. Worth. This is the second time in four years that Shreveport Regional has received the award.

According to Spriggs, Shreveport Regional Airport's was selected because of the number of projects the airport's staff worked on during 1999. Those projects included: continued work on a noise mitigation program to reduce aircraft noise in surrounding neighborhoods; the opening of a new $30 million terminal, parking lots, and remodeled facilities; completion of a new airport master plan; and a number of infrastructure improvements.

"The Shreveport staff has been instrumental in maximizing the airport by enticing industry and by working well with the government regulations," Spriggs said. Regarding Miller's performance, Spriggs said, "he epitomizes airport managers as far as working on the safety, the finances, future development and the aviation community's needs. ... He has a plan on where he wants the airport to be and Shreveport is fortunate to have him leading these efforts."

Bob Rademacher, chairman of the Shreveport Airport Authority, said the award reflects Shreveport Regional's position as an airport that has positive economic benefits for Northwest Louisiana, East Texas and South Arkansas. The effects on the entire region are often considered by the FAA when awarding airport improvement funds to an airport for development.

"The work the Shreveport staff has done with the FAA has been outstanding in securing and completing these projects," Rademacher said.

Shreveport Mayor Keith Hightower said the award is another positive reflection on Shreveport.

"We're proud of our airport and the statement it makes about the city," Hightower said. "I'm equally pleased that the FAA has chosen to honor all the hard work that has gone into making Shreveport Regional as one of the premier facilities in the South Central U.S."

"To win this honor twice in a four-year period is a special achievement for the Shreveport Airport Authority, its staff and all of its customers," Miller said. "The airport's success is dependent upon the support of the Airport Authority board, the FAA, the city administration and an outstanding staff of dedicated employees."

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Bill Cooksey at (318) 673-5370 or pager 866-5103