IND Adds New Airline, Nonstop Routes
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA Florida-based airline, billing itself as an "ultra low-cost carrier," is coming to Indianapolis International Airport. Spirit Airlines Inc. (NYSE: SAVE) will begin daily, nonstop service to Las Vegas and Orlando in March, and add summer seasonal nonstop service to Myrtle Beach in May. Vice President For Capacity Planning Mark Kopczak says the airline sees "real potential for growth" in those routes, adding IND has done a good job "selling Indy as a place where airlines want to be."
During an interview with Inside INdiana Business, Kopczak said Spirit sees potential for long-term growth in Indianapolis.
Kopczak says Spirit plans to follow its strategy in other markets: starting with a few key markets, then expanding to a larger number of nonstop routes. He says Indianapolis consistently came up as a potential new market for the airport, since the closest places it currently serves are Chicago and Columbus, Ohio. Kopczak is predicting a "long and prosperous future" in Indianapolis.
Spirit provides what it calls unbundled fares, with passengers paying for chosen options like bags, seat assignments and refreshments. The airline operates more than 600 daily flights to 70 destinations in the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean.
IND recently celebrated the tenth anniversary of its new terminal. At the time, Airport Authority Executive Director Mario Rodriguez talked about ongoing efforts to land more nonstop flights. The airport says it currently averages 145 daily departures to 51 nonstop destinations.