Before the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Area's Commercial/General Aviation Airport became an airport for civilian use, it was a military installation known as Harding Field, and provided flight training during World War II. A number of the pilots which received their training here made history in the aviation industry.

In August of 1948, under the Surplus Act of 1944, for the disposition of government surplus airports, airport facilities and equipment, and to assure their disposition in such a manner as would best encourage and foster the development of civil aviation and preserve for national defense purposes a strong, efficient, and properly maintained nation-wide system of public airports, Harding Field became a public airport for civilian use serving the Baton Rouge Metropolitan area.

The airport retained the name of Harding Field until March 10, 1954. On this day, the Parish Council of East Baton Rouge, acting upon the unanimous recommendation of the East Baton Rouge Airport Commission, that Harding Field shall in the future be known as Ryan Airport in memory of Captain William Joseph Ryan. A plaque containing this resolution which identifies some of Captain Ryan's contributions and achievements is hung in the Airport Terminal Building today. More recently, May 13, 1981, Ryan Airport's name was changed and is now officially Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, Ryan Field. In 1969 the City-Parish Government saw fit to create an Airport Authority by establishing Act No. 151 of the 1969 Louisiana Legislative Session, The Greater Baton Rouge Airport District came into existence. Members consist of the Mayor and Council of the Parish of East Baton Rouge and is known as the "Airport Authority". Seated under this Authority is a twelve member "Board of Commissioners" which is responsible for recommending to the Authority the selection of airport sites, and facilities and for the operation and administration of the airport, and have all the powers to act as the Governing Authority of the district as authorized in Act 151. However, the Authority retains the power to suspend or rescind any action or proposed action by the Commission.

Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport has experienced various patterns of growth since its inception in August of 1948. During the last eight years it has experienced the most growth ever. The most significant and noticeable projects in the public eye are the the terminal development program, construction of the public parking garage, construction of a new terminal access road, the construction of a new Police / Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting building, construction of a new Atlantic Southeast Airline jet maintenance facility, a new replacement hangar, a new airfield electrical vault, relocation of runway navigational aids, reconstruction of taxiway "F", overlay of the south general aviation apron, installation of EMAS safety system on runway 13, new drainage system for the air carrier apron, alternative fuel system pilot program. Total expenditures have been in excess of sixty million dollars. Funding for these projects was accomplished through grants from the Federal Aviation Administration, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Office of Aviation, and revenues generated from airport operations.

Most recently, the airport has been involved in acquiring property located in the noise sensitive areas. These long-range plans should place the Baton Rouge Metro Airport in the position to accommodate the air transportation needs of this community for the next twenty years and beyond.

The Baton Rouge Metro Airport offers passengers a new state of the art terminal facility, with a wide range of passenger amenities. The center piece of the terminal is a beautifully landscaped three story atrium rotunda featuring a food court and gift shop, with a view of the airfield. Other amenities currently available include:

Passenger Lounges
First Level News and Gift Shop
ATM
Massage Chairs
Baggage Carts
Vending Machines
Long Distance Phone Card Machines