Rodriguez: Airport recovery ‘faster than we anticipated’
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowWhile the airline industry continues in transition, there are signs that recovery from the pandemic at Indianapolis International Airport is happening at an accelerated pace.
“It seems to be coming back faster than we anticipated,” said airport authority Executive Director Mario Rodriguez, who points to nonstop flights as one indicator. “We were up to 50 nonstops before the pandemic, we went down to 30 and now we’re back up to 46 and gaining on that 50 number, which is a magic number and it’s way more than any of our comparable airports in the Midwest.”
Rodriguez talked about the recovery and yet another big award for the airport on this weekend’s edition of Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick.
The recovery at Indianapolis International has been building for months. In 2021, the airport reported handling more than 7.1 million passengers, an overall increase of 75% compared to 2020.
Those numbers outpaced passenger traffic recovery in peer airports in Columbus, Milwaukee, and Pittsburgh.
Meantime, the airport continues to rake in global recognition.
For the third time in four years, and fifth overall, Indianapolis International has been recognized as the top medium-sized airport for customer service by J.D. Power in its North America Airport Satisfaction Survey.
The survey measures customer satisfaction based on feedback in six areas: airport arrival and departure, check-in and baggage check, security check, baggage claim, and terminal facilities, including concourses, lounges, signage, restrooms and gate areas.
For 10 consecutive years, the airport has been named the best airport in North America by the Airports Council International.