Indy-to-Dublin flight expected to generate new partnerships, strengthen relationships
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowFor the first time in over four years, Indianapolis will have a nonstop flight connection to Europe beginning in 2025.
Before the first flight from Indianapolis to Dublin, Ireland takes off in May, state and regional leaders are celebrating the opportunities for more partnerships with Ireland.
“The economics between Indiana and Ireland are out of this world. We export to Ireland over $750 million on an annual basis, but the bigger story is that we import $20.8 billion,” Mario Rodriguez, executive director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority, said. “One quarter of everything exported into the United States from Ireland comes into the state of Indiana.”
The Indianapolis Airport Authority estimates the flight will have a more than $50 billion annual economic impact in Indiana and enhance an already strong trading relationship.
More than 50 Ireland-based companies have roots in Indiana, and more than a dozen Indiana companies have large operations in Ireland.
Last month, Eli Lilly & Co. announced plans to spend $1.8 billion on two of its manufacturing sites in Ireland to boost production of medicines. Ireland-based sports-tech startup Wiistream plans to establish its U.S. headquarters in Indianapolis.
Gov. Eric Holcomb was in Ireland last week and toured Lilly’s facility. He told Inside INdiana Business that the new flight is a game changer for the state’s economy.
“Everyone that was involved understands that these are gateways, these are hubs into the whole of the Midwest and America, and hubs into the whole of Europe,” Holcomb said. “When I leave office in 83 or so days, our cupboard will be full with potential pipeline deals and projects that need to be completed to keep that momentum going.”
During his trip, Holcomb and the Ports of Indiana signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Port of Cork in Ireland to explore the feasibility of an express container shipping service between the two locations.
“We’re looking at how you piece together the puzzle pieces of water ports and airports [and] how we connect with markets near and far,” Holcomb said. “Burns Harbor, our port in northern Indiana, [is] critically important for the shipping of goods…[it’s] very good for businesses’ two way trade.”
Both Holcomb and Rodriguez emphasized during interviews with Inside INdiana Business that partnerships and data led to the return of a nonstop Europe flight.
“Our team is extremely dedicated to make sure we connect Indiana with the places that want scope, especially when it comes to business,” Rodriguez said. “All this data pointed to the airlines that they should be flying out of here into Europe.”
Beginning May 3, the airport will see direct flights four days a week through Irish airline Aer Lingus to Dublin Airport. Flights will be offered year-round except in January and February. The route will be offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.