State Series: Indiana

Since the creation of the first airport in 1909 by Wilbur Wright, cities and states have come together to create one of the most expansive airport systems in the world. Over the next few months, our writers have taken an in-depth look at each state to see what airports it has to offer, what its history entails, and what changes we can expect in the future that will continue to shape the airline industry.

Indiana is known in the Midwestern United States as the Crossroads of America. As such, Indiana is home to numerous manufacturing firms and pharmaceutical companies. Each year Indiana hosts the largest spectator event in the world, the Indianapolis 500. Due to this, the state’s main traffic comes from locals going on vacation, business people investing in the state, and tourists coming in for the annual spectacle.

MAJOR AIRPORTS 

Indianapolis International Airport – Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis International Airport is located just Southwest of downtown Indianapolis and is the primary airport for the state. Being close to downtown, and centrally located in the state, the airport draws passengers from all corners. The airport is also close to multiple universities in Indiana such as Purdue University and Butler University. The airport serves as the second largest hub for Fedex, behind the company’s superhub in Memphis.

The facilities at Indianapolis are world class, with the airport receiving a new terminal in 2008 to replace the original facilities. The new terminal, named after Col. H. Weir Cook, a World War II flying ace from Indiana, features two concourses connected by a central Civic Plaza. All major US airlines and their regional partners serve Indianapolis. Low-cost carriers have grown recently after Delta reduced Northwest’s focus city at the airport. Presently Southwest holds the largest share of traffic at IND. Allegiant and Frontier also serve the city, with the airport authority always looking for new carriers to help keep prices low. International service to Toronto is provided by Air Canada’s subsidiary Air Canada Express. In addition, the new terminal features a Customs and Border Patrol facility allowing international charters to arrive at the terminal and for future expansion to new international destinations.

Ft. Wayne International Airport – Ft. Wayne, IN

Ft. Wayne International Airport is the primary airport for Northeast Indiana. Located just south of the City of Ft. Wayne, the airport has been known as a regional airline destination, with many major airlines serving the airline with their regional partners. In the past the airport previously held international service to Toronto with Air Canada Express, however, the 9/11 attacks led to the service ending. The airport is home to a maintenance base for Skywest Airlines CRJ-200s.

Presently the airport consists of one terminal with eight gates that was recently refurbished in 2013. Allegiant is the primary carrier from the airport, but regional airlines also have service to major hubs, such as Chicago O’Hare, Minneapolis, Atlanta and Detroit. Recently traffic has picked up at the airport with United Express announcing Embraer 175 service to Newark.

OTHER AIRPORTS

Evansville Regional Airport located in Evansville, IN serves the southern portion of Indiana and parts of neighboring Kentucky. The airport has service to several regional hubs such as Chicago, Dallas, and Atlanta. South Bend International Airport located in South Bend, IN serves the Northwestern corner of the state and is served by United and Delta’s regional partners to their nearby hubs. Allegiant also serves the airport to destinations with warmer climates.

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Daniel Morley

Daniel has always had aviation in his life; from moving to the United States when he was two, to family vacations across the U.S., and back to his native England. He currently resides in South Florida and attends Nova Southeastern University, studying Human Factors in Aviation. Daniel has his Commercial Certificate for both land and sea, and hopes to one day join the major airlines.

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