Organizational Structure of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport
James M. Oyler
School of Aeronautics, Liberty University
AVIA 444: Principles of Transportation
Professor Daniel Yerrington
February 5, 2024
Overview of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport
The Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport was commissioned in 1939. It encompasses 1,800
acres and surrounded by the third largest oil refinery in the United States and the Mississippi
River is but a short distance to the north. KBTR is its ICOA identification code. Locals like to
refer to the airport as Ryan Field.
This airport is Class Charlie airspace and the air carriers that fly in and out of the Baton
Rouge Airport are Delta, American, United, K.L.M., British Airways, AeroMexico, Air New
Zeland, and Air France. The main traffic from commercial carriers is from Delta, American, and
United Airlines.
Baton Rouge airport has three (3) runways. Two (2) are 7,500 feet in length and the
remaining runway is 3,799 feet. The airport plays host to several general and commercial flight
training fixed base operators along with terminal access for passengers arriving and departing on
one of the major air carriers listed previously.
The airport plays a vital role in the economy of Baton Rouge and contributes 1.1 billion
dollars annually in addition to creating and sustaining 4,500 jobs. In 2023, over 365,000 people
flew out of the Baton Rouge airport which was a 16.8 percent increase from the previous year.
The positive economic growth of the airport is dependent on several opportunities that will be
explained in more detail. (Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport: BTR | Fly Local, n.d.)
Minimum Standards of the Organizational Structure of Airport
The Baton Rouge Metropolitan airport is organized and able to facilitate many
commercial opportunities where tenants must meet the minimum standards mandated by the
airport commission for aeronautical activity. They list two (2) types of operations. The first is a
Full-Service Fixed Base Operator and the second is a Fix Based Operator.
There are fourteen (14) classifications of designated aeronautical activity allowed for
Full-Service Fixed Base Operators on the premises. They include fuel and oil sales, aircraft
maintenance of engines and accessories, aircraft storage, aircraft sales (new or used), aircraft
charter and air taxi, flight training, aircraft leasing and rental, and retail part sales.
For Fixed base operators, they are broken down into the following categories. These
include flying club, specialized commercial services, private operators, t-hangars, private
operators with fuel for personal use, aircraft paint shop operations, parachute activity, banner
towing, and escorting fees.
The airport runways can accommodate a variety of aircraft types and sizes, including a
jumbo Boeing 747. Air Force One has landed at BTR on several occasions, using both Boeing
747 and Boeing 757 aircraft.
The apron is currently configured to accommodate aircraft ranging from Boeing 757’s to
Regional Jets. Up to sixteen (16) aircraft parking positions are available at and around the
terminal for aircraft remaining overnight. The airport has eighteen (18) acres of apron space
available with room to add more if the need arises.
The airport passenger terminal is on the airfield's west side. The area south of the airfield
is primarily designated for general aviation usage and the FAA Control Tower. The eastern side
of the airfield consists of general aviation and the Transportation Security Administration
offices. The northern side of the airfield includes available land for development in the Aviation
Business Park. The Baton Rouge Emergency/National Disaster Multiplex is also on the northern
side of the airfield. (MINIMUM STANDARDS for AERONAUTICAL ACTIVITIES GREATER
BATON ROUGE AIRPORT DISTRICT RYAN FIELD BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA 70807,
n.d.)
Airport Authority
The Baton Rouge Airport Authority is comprised of elected members from the twelve
(12) metropolitan districts within the city. The Mayor of Baton Rouge also is a member on the
panel of authority. It is the Airport Authority who appoints and approves the Airport Commision
that currently has seventeen (17) commissioners. (Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport: BTR | Fly
Local, n.d.)
Landside Operations
The landside organizational structure is typical for a large city. The Baton Roge airport
has a full array of private security as well as the Transportation Security Administration officers
that work on the terminal side of airport operations. The airport is divided into two (2) halves
with the travel going public facilities on the north side of the airport and the fixed base operators
located on the south side. This includes non-air carrier maintenance facilities along with other
fixed base operators and flight schools.
The State of Louisiana Fire Fighting and Emergency Academy is housed on the southern
side of the airport grounds. The airport also leases property to offshore oil platform rescue
training operations. The Baton Rouge Airport has plans for expansion as the demand for flight
travel continues to grow. (Municipal Training - Louisiana FETA, n.d.)
References
MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR AERONAUTICAL ACTIVITIES GREATER BATON
ROUGE AIRPORT DISTRICT RYAN FIELD BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA 70807. (n.d.).
Retrieved February 6, 2024, from
https://fluxconsole.com/files/item/181/15584/btr%20minimum%20standards%2010-21-
02%20(2).pdf
Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport :: BTR | Fly Local. (n.d.). Www.flybtr.com. Retrieved
February 6, 2024, from https://www.flybtr.com/
Municipal Training - Louisiana FETA. (n.d.). Feta.la.gov. Retrieved February 6, 2024,
from https://feta.la.gov/municipal-training/
