Rodriguez: New runway can lead to more nonstops

The most ambitious project since the completion of the Midfield Terminal in 2008 – a nearly $200 million rebuild of one of two main runways at Indianapolis International Airport – could mean more nonstops, including a coveted route to Europe, according to airport Executive Director Mario Rodriguez.

“Two miles of highway gets you two miles down the road. This two miles of runway will get us all the way to Europe,” said Rodriguez, who adds the amount of concrete that will be used in the renovation is enough to pave two lanes of highway from Indianapolis to Terre Haute.

Rodriguez talked about the massive project and its potential impact on this weekend’s edition of Indiana INdiana Business with Gerry Dick.

Since Indy lost its first trans-Atlantic nonstop to the pandemic in April of 2020, a route to Charles de Gaule Airport in Paris, airport, city and state officials have been working to secure another nonstop to Europe.

Rodriguez is confident about the direction of negotiations. “The Indy market is extremely strong for the airlines,” said Rodriguez. “And I think you may be delighted in the very near future…as to our new nonstops. It’s not solid yet, but there is interest by airlines to fly to Europe from this market.”