Sky Harbor Crew Now Re-Building Lake Charles, Louisiana Airport
Phoenix, Arizona -- A team of electricians and building maintenance workers from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport are now in Louisiana, making major repairs to the Lake Charles Regional Airport after Hurricane Rita caused severe damage over the weekend. The Sky Harbor crew rolled in at 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, and went right to work. The team has already repaired the airport’s water system, replaced broken windows in the air traffic control tower, re-built perimeter fencing and much more. Sky Harbor electricians worked all of last night repairing airfield lighting. “Because of this team from the Phoenix Aviation Department, relief flights are now able to bring vital supplies and equipment into the Lake Charles, Louisiana Airport,” said Assistant Aviation Director, Carl Newman. “We are so proud of this team.”
The crew of five electricians and seven building maintenance workers from Sky Harbor departed Phoenix last Tuesday evening, pulling trailers full of equipment, food and water. Their original plan was to head straight to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, where they were going to help complete repairs needed after Hurricane Katrina. When it became clear that Hurricane Rita was headed for the gulf coast, the crew stopped west of San Antonio, Texas and stood by for word on where their help would be needed most. Soon after Hurricane Rita hit on Saturday, the Sky Harbor team was asked to head straight to Lake Charles, Louisiana. They are now working side-by-side with employees at the Lake Charles, Louisiana airport, re-building heavily damaged facilities. Phoenix Firefighters are also in Lake Charles, Louisiana, providing relief and assistance.
A consortium of airports from around the United States is coordinating the re-building of airports damaged by both Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. Airports from coast to coast have been communicating through email and conference calls, making sure that assistance is provided to all airports damaged in the recent storms. Once repairs are completed in Lake Charles, the Sky Harbor team may be sent to another airport to offer further assistance.
