🇺🇸 Acadiana Regional Airport

Acadiana Regional Airport (KARA (ARA)) is a public-use general aviation airport located four nautical miles northwest of the central business district of New Iberia, Louisiana, United States. It is owned by Iberia Parish and managed by the Iberia Parish Airport Authority.

Type of Facility and Operations: The airport is a fully-certified General Aviation Airport under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 139 (FAA F.A.R. Part 139). It features a fully instrumented airfield with a staffed Air Traffic Control Tower and offers executive, VIP, air charter, and air taxi services. Operations include significant helicopter flight training for several companies and serves as a regular cross-country flight training destination for NASA, the U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Navy. The airport also handles a variety of aircraft, including military trainers and larger cargo planes.

Notable Features and History: Originally operated as Naval Auxiliary Air Station New Iberia by the U.S. Navy from 1960 to 1965, it served as an advanced flight training base. The facility spans 2,328 acres (942 ha) and boasts an 8,002-foot long, 200-foot wide military-grade concrete runway, as well as a 5,000-foot lighted water runway for amphibious aircraft. Its strategic location near U.S. 90 (future Interstate 49) provides direct rail access and proximity to the Port of Iberia, highlighting its intermodal transportation capabilities. In 2017, the airport opened its first passenger terminal, named for Brigadier General Wiltz P. Segura.

Current Status: Acadiana Regional Airport remains a vital hub for general aviation, flight training, and corporate travel in the region. It is equipped to handle various aircraft sizes and continues to serve military and government flight training needs. The airport's operating hours for the field are generally 0700-2100L, with the control tower operating from 0600-2100L.