Indy Airport Prepares For Thanksgiving Rush

November 23, 2010

News Release

INDIANAPOLIS—Across the nation, the Air Transport Association (ATA) estimates the number of air travelers will range from 1.3 to 2.5 million passengers daily between Friday, November 19 and Tuesday, November 30.

Here in Indianapolis, those numbers will be smaller but still substantial. The airport will be fully staffed, with plenty of parking, public safety officers, terminal services staff, and restaurant and retail personnel on hand to serve the flying public.
Busiest travel days

The three busiest travel days across the U.S. this Thanksgiving are expected to be:

Wednesday, November 24, Sunday, November 28, and Monday, November 29
(Source: ATA).

Here in Indianapolis, projected passenger volumes are expected to be about the same.

Passenger volumes are based on Transportation Security Administration (TSA) data.

TSA tracks the number of departing passengers, but the numbers below are estimates for both arriving and departing passengers. For comparison purposes, passenger volumes for 2010, 2009, and 2008 are provided.

Day of week 2010 2009 2008
Wednesday 26,100 27,000 23,000
THANKSGIVING 14,510 13,600 14,000
Friday 17,200 16,600 17,000
Saturday 23,440 25,400 22,600
Sunday 29,166 30,000 26,200
Monday 22,180 28,400 22,740

Wait times to clear security

-Despite recent national media coverage about TSA security screening procedures, significant delays are not expected in Indianapolis. With defined lanes designated for families with infants and small children, those with special needs, and expert and casual travelers, IND’s checkpoints have been designed for maximum convenience and efficiency.

- To clear security with maximum ease and convenience, passengers should wear appropriate clothing and footwear and follow TSA guidelines regarding items permitted and prohibited in carry-on and checked luggage. Go to www.tsa.gov for helpful information and tips about how to dress and pack for maximum comfort and convenience.

Watch the weather
-When freezing rain, ice, or snow is predicted-----whether in Indianapolis, at a final destination, or a connecting city in between-----flights are likely to be delayed or cancelled. Passengers are advised to check the status of their flights before leaving home when severe weather has been forecasted.

Check the status of flights online

-Passengers can check the real-time status of flights on the airport’s home page at www.indianapolisairport.com. Select arriving or departing flights by airline to find information about estimated arrival and departure times, gates, and flightstatus. The data is refreshed every 60 seconds.

- Obtain real-time airport status and the latest information on flights across the U.S. at www.fly.faa.gov, which utilizes the FAA’s Air Traffic Control System Command Center. Their color-coded, state-by-state flight delay information includes delays ranging from 15 minutes, to 45 minutes, and more than 45 minutes, as well as airport closures.

Arrive early
-For stress-free travel, allow ample time for parking, checking bags and obtaining boarding passes, and clearing security. Passengers should check with their airlines for specific arrival time recommendations, but in general should arrive at the airport about 90 minutes before flights are scheduled to depart.
Parking at IND is plentiful!

-Valet parking is available on Level 3 of the Parking Garage. For those who selfpark, there are about 6,000 spaces in Economy Parking, 4,400 in Long-Term Parking, and nearly 6,000 spaces in the garage.

-Drivers who simply want to park-and-wait until passengers arrive should use the newly expanded Cell Phone Lot, which now has 100 first-come, first-served spaces, up from 49. Once passengers land, they can call drivers’ cell phones. Drivers can then pull to curb to quickly pick up arriving passengers