Plans are currently underway to make New Iberia an international gateway for trade.

According to Acadiana Regional Airport Director Jason Devillier, the United States currently has noise restrictions that stop some airplanes in South America from bringing goods into the U.S. because of the loud noise from engines on older model planes. He’s asking Louisiana’s Congressional Delegation, The Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration to waive rules set in the Airport Noise and Capacity Act of 1990, which forced airlines to phase out louder, older models by 1999. Devillier says Acadiana Regional has a prime location to tap into this market.

“There might be other opportunities for smaller carriers to get their products into the us market directly into Acadiana Regional Airport” said Devillier.

The airport has received support from U.S. Customs, Sen. David Vitter and U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany to lift the noise restrictions. Devillier says he and a group of Iberia Parish officials have scheduled a trip to Washington, D.C. in June to speak to federal officials about this project.