Site Admin

Joined: 15 Jun 2005
Posts: 2316
Location: Indianapolis, IN

Today is Friday, June 17th 2005 and one of the biggest international events in the U.S. is happening in Indianapolis. The event is the running of the U.S. Grand Prix on the 19th. There are a few events which draw more international attention. World Cup soccer matches draw more as well as the olympics. But other than those things you will be hard pressed to find anything with the draw of Formula One. The Indianapolis area can expect thousands if not tens of thousands of international visitors this weekend. But as I look over the scheduled flights today and the previous days I noticed something odd. Where was the influx of international flights bringing the tourists to town? So far there are none. That is right. Not a single flight listed. That means all of these tourists coming to Indianapolis are being welcomed somewhere else. The only thing I could think of that would cause this is our rather inadequate international arrivals building which isn't even connected to the main terminal. Is this something that will repeat itself for the next 3 years or will provisions be made to make IND the gateway city instead of someplace else?

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Site Admin

Joined: 17 Jun 2005
Posts: 949
Location: Carmel, IN

unfortunately, the only thing that would justify a nice int'l arrivals facility would be scheduled commercial service to/from international destinations. Ambassadair charters don't cut it. I've often wondered why Aeromexico or Mexicana don't push harder into the U.S. by flying nonstops from Mexico City to medium-sized U.S. cities like Indy. You see CO flying to a jillion cities in Mexico ex-IAH on RJ's. You'd think it could work in reverse for a Mexican airline. Or for that matter, a vacation airline like Air Jamaica, doing something like one weekly n/s IND-Kingston or something.

But as much as it would be nice to have, there just isn't a large enough population with demand for international travel out of Indy. Especially not when the legacy carriers are hurting to keep their hugely expensive hubs going.

The kicker, though, is the 787. Maybe British Airways will see enough demand to run LGW-IND routes, much like CO has started flying ex-EWR to a whole bunch of smaller European cities.

I think the folks involved in this town with economic development and the airport would be very willing to build a nice int'l terminal if they even justify it a little.

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Site Admin

Joined: 15 Jun 2005
Posts: 2316
Location: Indianapolis, IN

The new airport will have 3 dedicated international arrivals gates as well as passport control, baggage inspection, etc. It will be all part of the normal arrivals experience here just like any big airport. Unfortunately we have to wait 3 years.

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Member

Joined: 21 Jun 2005
Posts: 28
Location: Indianapolis

Many corporate/private aircraft were here in Indianapolis for Formula One race day. At peak, Raytheon had approx thirty aircraft on tarmac, Signature approx ten. Wonderful looking planes, and no doubt many international. Checked on aircraft registration, most were charters, some corporate/privately owned. Also noted some larger charter aircraft on International Arrivals tarmac. Perhaps since these are not scheduled fights, they would not be listed. Additionally, the usually desolate International buildings parking area was nearly at capacity. Certainly, the international air traffic was present on race day. The three people that boarded the British Aerospace private charter below arrived at the airport by helicopter. As soon as it touched down in the grassy area by Raytheon, they were greeted warmly by Raytheon personnel and immediately shuttled over to their nearby waiting aircraft. Just a few minutes later and they were off. The air travel of the very elite.

Attached File: 249316.jpg

Site Admin

Joined: 15 Jun 2005
Posts: 2316
Location: Indianapolis, IN

That may explain why those flights were not listed on flytecomm.com . Is there an easy way to get from the main terminal to international arrivals? Or do you have to access it via Washington St?

BTW welcome aboard.

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Site Admin

Joined: 15 Jun 2005
Posts: 2316
Location: Indianapolis, IN

Wow.. I feel like a total slacker.

Lufthansa flight #8620 departed yesterday from IND (747-400)
Air France flight #6455 departed early AM today from IND (747-200)
Cargolux flight #779F departed yesterday to Mexico City (747-400)

Nice... we missed photo ops for 3 747's yesterday.

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Site Admin

Joined: 17 Jun 2005
Posts: 949
Location: Carmel, IN

Were the LH and AF flights actually 747s ex-IND? Or were they codeshares with UA via ORD with a scheduled aircraft change to a 747, and with DL via ATL with a scheduled change to a 747, respectively?

Don't know about the Cargolux; would assume that was an actual 7-4.

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Site Admin

Joined: 15 Jun 2005
Posts: 2316
Location: Indianapolis, IN

Those were listed on flytecomm.com (I think thats the url). Those are the actual flights in to IND. Cargolux is obviously cargo and I suspect the AF and LH jets were as well. Or they are charter.

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Member

Joined: 22 Jun 2005
Posts: 22
Location:

Indy wrote:

Nice... we missed photo ops for 3 747's yesterday.
Just imagine when the Airbus A380s start rolling into FedEx in 2008. That will be an awesome sight.