Member

Joined: 14 Jun 2006
Posts: 142
Location: IND

There has been a lot of positive talk about what the terminal will bring...but there are bad sides to it too. What do you think they will miss on?

For one...it is a bit further than the current location - unless you live in Plainfield.

It is also my understanding that there will not be a "deice pad." This could create quite a few problems for multiple morning operations right next to each other (especially with only two wings on a main terminal).

Site Admin

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

I'm still wanting to know how the hotel placement will impact the 2020 phase of the construction.

Member

Joined: 15 May 2006
Posts: 728
Location: West Lafayette, IN

I don't know how bad this is since they can always expand, but I think it's poor planning to build a terminal with only four more gates than the old one.

Site Admin

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

It will have 6 more gates. Current terminal has 34. New will have 40.

Member

Joined: 15 May 2006
Posts: 728
Location: West Lafayette, IN

My mistake, I thought we currently had 36... but still you get what I'm saying.

Site Admin

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

In the morning there is a serious shortage of gates. I know NW basically needs 12 but only has 8 so they have to use 1 gate to serve 2 jets at 4 different gates. So right there is really a need for 38 gates. Plus there are all kinds of jets parked away from the terminal overnight. Not sure where they are going to put them when the new terminal opens. So 2 additional gates for 10 years?

Edit: Actually its more than 10 years. This terminal is supposed to get us to 2010.

Member

Joined: 14 Jun 2006
Posts: 142
Location: IND

Indy wrote:

I know NW basically needs 12 but only has 8 so they have to use 1 gate to serve 2 jets at 4 different gates. So right there is really a need for 38 gates. Plus there are all kinds of jets parked away from the terminal overnight. Not sure where they are going to put them when the new terminal opens.

This is going to be a HUGE issue. Looking at the plans, it looks as at each gate you can only park one aircraft. I know NW currently has 14 overnight aircraft. Just about every airline in IND has at least one remote-parked aircraft...and a few that are "hardstands" at gates (United and Delta regional jets). Continental also doubles up on certain gates.

Where in the heck will anyone put additional aircraft? And how are you supposed to deice at the gate when you need that gate for another flight (because of the lack of gates)? Nevermind expansion!

I see BIG issues with this design.

Site Admin

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

In your opinion how many gates should they have built out to?

Member

Joined: 15 May 2006
Posts: 728
Location: West Lafayette, IN

IMHO, 50. This allows for expansion that will last you more than five years, but it's not an excessive amount.

AirTran Reporter

Joined: 17 Jun 2005
Posts: 341
Location: Indianapolis

How far can they expand the concourses on the new terminal? Didn't they have plans for a remote satellite terminal?

Site Admin

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

They can expand each concourse to a total of 30 gates.

Member

Joined: 11 Oct 2006
Posts: 248
Location: Lexington ky

when will they ask how many gates airlines need?

Site Admin

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

You would think this was done a while back. Before construction started. I'm sure if it. Right?

Member

Joined: 11 Oct 2006
Posts: 248
Location: Lexington ky

but a lot has changed ATA leaving Airtran coming NW focus city

Member

Joined: 14 Jun 2006
Posts: 142
Location: IND

Indy wrote:

You would think this was done a while back. Before construction started. I'm sure if it. Right?

I am pretty sure this has been determined. As well as where the airlines will be.

Airlines are not going to pay for additional gates if they do not have to. ESPECIALLY if the fees are going to go up.

Site Admin

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

Is there any word (official or rumor) as to how many NW is getting with the new terminal?

Member

Joined: 04 Mar 2007
Posts: 2
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

Why is IND being stupid? Why would you build a brand new airport with only 6 more gates? That makes no sense to me at all? It would be cheaper to build it will 50 gates that way you have room for expansion and like someone else said it would not be over kill. It is going to cost alot more money to build 10 gates in 10 years than it would now. I would love to see NWA and FL ramp up service at IND and use the terminal!! Plus don't forget about with the new terminal in the middle of the runways if you are in the south concourse you will see the massive FedEx hub! Thats makes IND look good in my eyes!

Eric

Site Admin

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

I don't know if I'd call it stupid. I think with the extremely favorable interest rates at the time combined with the reduced cost of building versus expanding they were perhaps playing it a bit too safe. But then again it may have been impossible to get funding for the additional construction.

Member

Joined: 04 Mar 2007
Posts: 2
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana

I still say it is stupid... why would you not build into the future, not just 2 years from now.... what happens if Airtran would like to place a mini-hub here? Oh here we have only 6 gates to give you! Come on

Site Admin

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

That is 6 gates in addition to what they have now. They could start out with 8 gates if they were that serious. They could run 60 flights a day off of that. And since the underground utilities have been already put down the concourse could be extended in relatively short order. I'm thinking 12 to 18 months to extend it out. Maybe if they were serious about building a big operation they have the satellite terminal built for themselves. Of course that would be serious overkill for an airline the site of AirTran but its a thought. Right now they haven't made a commitment to anyone or anything. Kind of hard to spend a hundred million dollars or whatever it is on an airline that plans routes like someone on psych meds.