Indianapolis International Airport Has Record 2005

The airport says March of 2005 was its busiest month in history. Northwest Airlines remains the largest carrier serving the airport.

Source: Inside INdiana Business

Press Release

INDIANAPOLIS -- A record 8.5 million passengers traveled through Indianapolis International Airport in 2005, marking the third consecutive year of significant passenger growth.

In all, the airport served 8,524,442 passengers last year, which represented a 6.2 percent increase from 2004. This is the second year in a row that the airport has surpassed the 8 million passenger mark.

“Indianapolis International Airport experienced unprecedented growth in 2005, benefiting from intense competition between airlines as they focused on increasing market share and increasing aircraft load factors,” Airport Director Patrick Dooley said. “At the same time, consumers benefited in 2005 from record low fares to both leisure and business markets.

“This year, however, likely will be more challenging for both the airport and for consumers as the airline industry continues to reduce jet fleets and makes other adjustments in response to economic changes,” Dooley said. “One thing is for certain, as the airline industry retools, we will work aggressively to protect our position and keep Indianapolis on the radar of all carriers planning to grow.”

Among the other airport highlights in 2005:

More than 824,000 passengers came through the airport in March – a popular month for spring break travel -- making it the busiest month of the year. In fact, March 2005 was the single busiest month ever recorded at the airport.

The summer vacation season also proved to be a busy period with more than 2.3 million passengers using the airport in June, July and August.

In November, which typically has one of the busiest travel days of the year just before Thanksgiving, more than 667,000 passengers went through the airport.

The airport’s air cargo activity also experienced continued growth last year with more than 1.1 millions tons of total cargo volume, a 7 percent increase over 2004. The airport's cargo activity was led by FedEx, which maintains a large Indianapolis hub.
Indianapolis International Airport ranks as the 9th largest air cargo airport in the country and 20th in the world.

Top Ten Airlines at Indianapolis International Airport

In 2005 By Market Share

1. Northwest Airlines (22.6 %)

2. US Airways (12.2 %)

3. Southwest Airlines (11.9 %)

4. American Airlines (11.0 %)

5. ATA Airlines (10.6 %)

6. Delta Airlines (8.8 %)

7. United Airlines (7.2 %)

8. Continental Airlines (5.7 %)

9. AirTran Airways (3.6 %)

10. Frontier Airlines (2.5 %)

About BAA Indianapolis LLC

BAA Indianapolis LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of BAA plc. BAA was selected by the Indianapolis Airport Authority in 1995 to manage its system of airports, including Indianapolis International Airport, six general aviation airports and the Heliport in downtown Indianapolis. BAA is the world's largest airport management company.

About Indianapolis Airport Authority

Established as a municipal corporation by the General Assembly in 1962, the Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA) is responsible for owning, developing and operating six airport facilities in the Indianapolis metropolitan area. The IAA is governed by a board of eight voting members appointed by the mayor of Indianapolis and officials from Marion and Hendricks counties. The board also has three non-voting members representing Hamilton, Hancock and Morgan counties. IAA facilities include Indianapolis International, Metropolitan, Mt. Comfort, Eagle Creek and Hendricks County Airport - Gordon Graham Field airports and the Downtown Heliport.

Source: Indianapolis Airport Authority