By the end of today over 10,000 people will be flown out of New Orleans as part of the largest ever airlift on U.S. soil, Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta announced. Nearly 40 commercial and military aircraft have been involved in the round-the-clock airlift from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, bringing in supplies and taking people out, Mineta added.

Starting virtually from scratch, we`ve worked to put together the largest air lift on U.S. soil in history to get supplies in and take people out of New Orleans, said Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta. We are going to keep at this for as long as necessary to make sure we get as many people safely out of New Orleans by air as possible.

Department of Transportation personnel, including air traffic controllers and technicians, have been working non-stop since Hurricane Katrina passed through New Orleans to put in place temporary air traffic control equipment, a tower, generators, fuel, mobile satellite-based communications, and runway, taxiway and ramp lighting to support relief and rescue operations.

Thanks to their efforts, two major runways are now open to air traffic and additional ramp and taxiways have been cleared, Mineta noted. The Secretary noted that the airlift will continue for as long as needed and that the Department would commit every available resource to ensure success.

The airlift, know as Operation Air Care, is being made possible with the support of other federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. and foreign commercial airlines, and the men and women of the New Orleans International Airport.