Airline Execs, Planners ‘Thrilled’ with Indy
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowLast week’s Routes Americas 2020 conference was a chance for Indianapolis and Indiana to make a statement in front of hundreds of airline and airport executives from around the world. And Indianapolis Airport Authority Executive Director Mario Rodriguez says the city and state took full advantage of the opportunity.
Indianapolis was just the third U.S. city, and first in the Midwest, to host the conference, which Rodriguez says could have a $40 million long term economic impact. “These are the decision makers that decide whether a flight goes into a place or not and they were thrilled with everything,” said Rodriguez. “Now they understand what Indianapolis and Indiana are all about.”
Rodriguez talked about the conference, the potential for additional nonstop flights and new airport retail offerings on this weekend’s edition of Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick.
During the conference, it was announced that Tennessee-based Contour Airlines would locate a base in Indianapolis and add 50 jobs. The airline will also add nonstop flights from Indy to Nashville, St. Louis and Pittsburgh, with additional destinations expected in the future.
Five years ago, Indianapolis International had 33 nonstop flights. Today that number is at 53, an all-time high.
Rodriguez says additional nonstop, including international destinations, continued to be in play. “We’ve been looking at different targets, Mexico City, London, Japan, and Governor Holcomb has instrumental in driving this vision, because we’re just a reflection what’s happening in the state,” said Rodriguez, adding the Routes Americas event could be very helpful in the process.