Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 127; Flight Crew Total 295; Flight Crew Type 295
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Incursion Runway
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
On the second day of new terminal opening at MSY while on the north ramp traveling west on G taxiway we were given cross Runway 29 at Taxiway F by ground control. As I turned left on F and turned on all my lights to cross I saw Aircraft Y coming down the runway in the middle of takeoff. I immediately stopped the aircraft short of the hold line of Runway 29 on Taxiway F. The First Officer asked the Ground Controller if Tower had a jet on takeoff roll; he seemed confused.
Air carrier Captain reported being cleared to cross a runway with an aircraft on takeoff roll at MSY airport.