By the time Hurricane Ida made landfall near New Orleans in late August 2021, it had intensified to 150 mph sustained winds, just shy of a Category 5 hurricane event. Well in advance of Ida making landfall, the leadership at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) already had a recovery plan in place. They were going to need it.

For nearly a week, utility power at MSY would be out while emergency generators provided power for building systems. Public water supply systems would be down, preventing HVAC equipment and domestic water systems from operating. A ruptured fire line and a failed diesel-powered fire pump would compound the crisis, along with widespread damage to terminals, hangars and other support infrastructure.

Remarkably, flights resumed just five days later.

The speedy rebound was no accident. It was the result of a well-defined strategy that helped MSY quickly reestablish utilities, assess damage and map a clear route back to regular operations. It also underscores the critical role that resiliency planning and design now play in the long-term success of today’s airports.

MSY is hardly alone. Faced with increasingly severe weather, reduced contingency budgets and a shrinking labor pool, more airport operators are prioritizing infrastructure that is built to last. From pavement to power systems, the objective is clear: Invest in infrastructure that reduces the risk of future failures and the costly disruption they cause.

Position resilience as central to the passenger experience. The case for resilient infrastructure goes beyond weather and budgets. It’s also the backbone to safe, reliable airport operations. When systems fail, they can halt operations — disrupting flights, stranding passengers and eroding public trust. In today’s airport environment, that level of risk is unacceptable. You can’t improve the passenger experience while stuck in reactive maintenance mode.

Design beyond what today’s codes prescribe. Building codes are based on historical data that no longer reflects present-day realities. A 500-year flood may now hit every 50 years. Wildfires are more frequent and intense. The climate, in short, is shifting faster than infrastructure can adapt, and airports are now facing disruptions they weren’t built to handle. Accounting for these evolving risks through more resilient design can drive up initial project costs. But a $20 million project is no bargain if it’s out of service in five years or needs $5 million a year in maintenance — especially when a $30 million alternative could avoid both the risk and recurring expense.

Use data to build support. Convincing others to push beyond the minimum takes leadership, especially when developers and public agencies are under pressure to cut costs. Making the case for stronger materials, redundant systems, and more durable solutions requires solid data and a commitment to long-term value over short-term savings. In practice, resilient systems often pay for themselves. Whether it’s upgrading pavement to accommodate larger aircraft loads or building systems that can withstand more extreme environmental conditions that result in a system upset, the added investment can mean fewer repairs, less downtime and smoother operations in the long run.

Choose solutions the local workforce and commercial ecosystem can build and support. Resilient design doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Even the best technologies must align with real-world constraints like material availability, labor capacity and evolving FAA guidance. Selecting emergency system components that aren’t produced domestically can impact your resiliency plan when parts and technical support are half a world away. Sourcing specialty materials in the right quantities — and finding local crews trained to install them — can be a challenge. If an airport needs a particular oil for asphalt or aggregate not available locally, shipping adds cost and potential delays. Likewise, materials marketed as “green” or ultradurable can present constructability issues or be unfamiliar to the local workforce.

Remember, more options ≠ better outcomes. Most airport leaders don’t have the time — or the technical background — to parse complex risk scenarios. That’s why they depend on their engineering partners not just for skills and experience, but also for guidance they can trust. Offering a range of options may seem helpful, but successful projects are often shaped by clear, data-backed recommendations. Engineers aren’t just there to offer opinions — they’re there to help owners cut through the noise and make smart, long-term decisions.

Resilience isn’t just about preparing for disaster. It’s about building in a way that makes recovery faster, smoother and less costly when it comes.

It’s also not a premium add-on. Resilience is what keeps maintenance costs from snowballing. It’s a long-term strategy for staying operational in a world where climate extremes and other disruptions are no longer the exception, but the rule.