BAA and Indianapolis Airport Authority agree to conclude management contract early
INDIANAPOLIS—The Indianapolis Airport Authority and BAA Ltd. announced today they have reached agreement to an early conclusion to the BAA Indianapolis airport management contract.
The contract, originally scheduled to conclude December 31, 2008, will end one year early to provide a smooth transition of the current management team to the authority in advance of the opening of midfield terminal at the new Indianapolis International Airport.
BAA notified the authority that based on current corporate strategy it would not pursue a new or extended contract at the conclusion of the existing contract.
Discussions between the authority and BAA about smoothly transitioning the operations back to full control by the Authority are in progress. The agreement means that BAA Indianapolis will begin a phased handover in the next few months. Following the smooth transition, in which a majority of the existing management team is expected to remain in place, BAA will cease management on December 31, 2007.
“Their leadership in introducing a more commercial approach through expanding the airport’s retail and parking offerings was paramount. Their role contributed greatly to the development of additional non-airline revenue,” said Lacy Johnson, president of the Airport Authority Board. “We thank BAA for its role in the continued success of Indianapolis International Airport.”
An agreement on the exact timing regarding the transition will take place during the coming weeks.
“BAA has enjoyed years of management in partnership with the Authority during which time the airport has established itself as an industry leader. The professionalism of our staff has been outstanding and has helped see the airport grow during a period of unprecedented change within the travel industry. We are proud to have managed a safe, secure airport for the people of Indianapolis offering the best in customer service,” said Patrick Dooley, airport director.
The transition is expected to be seamless as all current employees in good standing will be offered positions with the Airport Authority.
Opened in 1931, the Indianapolis International Airport currently occupies approximately 7,700 acres. Indianapolis International is served by 11 passenger airlines which include 33 gates, with approximately 673,000 square feet of space. The total parking capacity at the airport is just under 11,000 vehicles.
IAA facilities include Indianapolis International, Metropolitan, Mt. Comfort, Eagle Creek, and Gordon Graham Field airports and the Downtown Heliport.