Indy Airport Expected to Break Another Travel Record This Week

INDIANAPOLIS (Oct. 10, 2023) – The Indianapolis Airport Authority is urging Hoosiers flying out of the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) starting Wednesday to arrive a full two hours early – particularly for passengers flying out on early morning flights.

Indianapolis TSA officials anticipate Oct. 11 – 16 to be the busiest week ever in the Indy airport’s history. Officials expect an average of more than 20,000 passengers to go through security screening daily at the Indy airport over the next six days. Approximately 21 percent of travelers Thursday through Monday will head out before 6 a.m. On Tuesday, although the overall passenger traffic for the day is more than 16,000 passengers, 19 percent of travelers will head out before 6 a.m. Saturday, Friday and Thursday will be the busiest days, respectively.

Airport officials say early morning flights (4 a.m. – 6 a.m.) are the most impacted by the surge in travel and encourage travelers flying out during this timeframe to arrive at the terminal two hours before their departure time. In addition, late afternoon flights (3 p.m. – 5 p.m.) is another peak time for travelers departing Indy.

Nonstop flights to Florida are driving the largest capacity numbers (available seats) for Fall Break 2023, as Hoosiers are leaving the chill in Indiana air for warmer temperatures and fun and sun with family.

In Indy airport history, this is the largest outbound capacity for the entire month of October and for all prior Fall Break periods. In fact, Indy airport expects capacity to be 8 percent higher than the past largest Fall Break travel period in October 2004.

In addition to anticipated increased passenger traffic, travelers should be prepared for new screening technology.

New advanced Computed Tomography (CT) technology is installed at all 14 lanes of IND’s TSA security checkpoints. These upgrades aim to improve the airport’s world-class customer experience, and passengers can minimize delays by keeping prohibited items out of their carry-on bags and having a valid ID ready to present at the checkpoint.

The IAA reminds passengers of the following travel tips.

PREPARING FOR FALL BREAK TRAVEL
With Fall Break travel expected to exceed 2019 pre-pandemic levels, it’s important for travelers to be prepared before arriving at the airport. Plan ahead, pack smart, and get to the airport early.

To accommodate an influx of passengers, TSA checkpoint A and B will open at 3:30 a.m. Hoosiers can process through either TSA checkpoint and proceed to their gate. TSA PreCheck is only available on checkpoint A. Airline ticket counters opening time varies, but generally they open two hours before flight departure.

The Indy airport also strongly encourages travelers to consider the following travel tips below, and to sign up for TSA PreCheck at https://www.tsa.gov/precheck for a smoother screening process, which eliminates the need to remove shoes, belts, 3-1-1 liquids, laptops or light jackets.

Before leaving for the airport

• Always check flight status with the airline prior to arriving at the airport
• Arrive a full two hours ahead of the departure time to get checked in, through security, and to the gate in plenty of time before boarding call
• Download the airline’s mobile app for all pertinent travel update
• Use a mobile boarding pass or print boarding passes ahead of time
• Download the MyTSA app for 24/7 access to the most frequently requested airport security information, including helpful tips for preparing for security, including a searchable database of items that can and can’t go in checked or carry-on bags
• Pack smart – check for prohibited items and follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule. Learn more at: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips/refresh-your-memory-liquid-rules

Plan ahead for parking

• With record passenger traffic comes record parking volumes, and parking at IND is anticipated to go full during Fall Break
• Consider alternative forms of transportation, such as Uber & Lyft or having a loved one drop-off and pick-up at the airport
• For help determining parking options at IND, visit https://www.ind.com/parking
• The Economy Lot is a convenient and cost-effective option for travelers https://www.ind.com/parking/economy-lot
• For a contactless parking experience at IND, register for the free parkIND plus program https://www.ind.com/parking/parkind-plus-program
• Valet parking offers the closest proximity to the pedestrian walkway to the terminal. To learn more, visit https://www.ind.com/parking/valet

At the terminal

• Bring your own reusable water bottle and fill up at the numerous water bottle filling stations located throughout the terminal
• New restaurants are now open at IND offering a local flavor, see all available dining options and their operating hours at https://www.ind.com/dining-shopping-services/dining
• Use the Concourse Connector to explore available dining options in both concourses, no matter which one you are flying out of
• Explore new artwork throughout the terminal from local artists, and the new KIND Gallery space. Learn more at: https://www.ind.com/publicart
• When picking up friends or family, use the Cell Phone Lot to wait then proceed to the drive for pick-up or park in hourly parking and meet your guest inside

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