Could it Soon be Shreveport International Airport?
Shreveport Regional Airport is building an international arrivals and departures area at Gate 1, a project airport officials hope could open the door to nonstop international service as soon as summer 2027.
Mark Crawford, Shreveport Regional Airport Business & Development Manager, told KEEL News on Wednesday that the construction will include space for passenger processing and international baggage claim. The facility is expected to be ready by the end of 2026.
Cancun Tops the Airport’s Wish List
Crawford said airport leaders are already talking with several airlines about potential international routes, with Cancun at the top of the list.
“Cancun is our number one international destination that people fly to from Shreveport,” Crawford said.
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According to Crawford, about 15 people each day begin their Cancun trip at Shreveport Regional Airport, while dozens more drive to airports such as Dallas-Fort Worth to catch their flights. He estimated that roughly 70 to 80 travelers from the Shreveport area head to Cancun on an average day.
The airport is also considering other destinations, including Cozumel. Crawford said London ranks surprisingly high among international destinations for local travelers, although a direct Shreveport-to-London route would be far less realistic because of the distance.
Customs Agents Are Already in Shreveport
The airport has handled international cargo, private charters and diverted international flights for years. U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents already serve those operations, but scheduled international passenger service requires a facility where travelers and baggage can be processed.
Crawford described the situation as a “chicken and the egg” problem. Airlines need to see a completed customs facility before committing to international routes, while airport leaders also need to show strong passenger demand.
Local Travelers Could Help Seal the Deal
Shreveport Regional currently offers nonstop service to 10 domestic destinations through Allegiant, American, Delta and United. Crawford said continued passenger growth is one of the strongest arguments the airport can make when requesting new routes.
“The more people that choose to fly from Shreveport, the more the airlines will add additional service,” Crawford said.
That means every local booking becomes a data point when airlines evaluate whether a route can attract enough passengers.
That support recently helped Shreveport secure a second daily Denver flight, according to Crawford. Airport officials are also speaking with U.S. carriers and Mexican airlines, including Volaris and Viva Aerobus.
A Cancun announcement is not guaranteed, but the construction at Gate 1 is a major step. Shreveport Regional is now preparing the terminal space needed to turn a possible scheduled international flight proposal into a real local boarding pass.