AirTran Reporter

Joined: 17 Jun 2005
Posts: 341
Location: Indianapolis

With prior opening dates at various new airports/terminals being delayed, does anything here think that it would be delayed here at IND? The one that comes to mind first is Denver. I think they delayed the opening of that project quite a long time. Construction at IND is currently on track and even on budget (can't say so much for the Colts stadium *lol*).

Member

Joined: 18 Jan 2008
Posts: 106
Location: Indianapolis

Well, since they've moved the date up from the original date, I think it'll open on time, or pretty darn close to it.

Site Admin

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

I think the new terminal will be completed a few weeks before that. I dont think it will be a problem.

Member

Joined: 18 Jan 2008
Posts: 106
Location: Indianapolis

I'm sure they'll have some sort of media day and other sorts of celebrations leading up to the first flights. I wonder if they will open the whole building up to the public before the first flights to tour beyond securtiy.

Site Admin

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

Even with the 10/28 date, isn't it still quite long delayed from the original plans? IIRC, under the original proposals, the new terminal would have been open by now.

Member

Joined: 18 Jan 2008
Posts: 106
Location: Indianapolis

I have no idea what the proposal said about an open date. But now that i think about it... Wasn't it because of 9-11 and having to re-design a bit for security that set it back farther? And the drop in air travel that had them second guessing the need for one?

Member

Joined: 21 Dec 2007
Posts: 117
Location: Indianapolis International Baggage Claim

i think so.

AirTran Reporter

Joined: 17 Jun 2005
Posts: 341
Location: Indianapolis

The original targeted opening date was to be 7/7/07.

Site Admin

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

The opening was pushed back 1 year at the request of the airlines. I think they even wanted it pushed back further but the airport authority said no.

Site Admin

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

I think all of those are correct. The airlines wanted it pushed back to delay the incurrence of higher costs. Sept. 11th caused some rethink of the design, but I think that was absorbed in the airline-requested delay. Also, wasn't there a short delay after the accident a few months ago where the ceiling support columns bent/shifted? So maybe we're now making up for that delay and pulling the schedule back.

In any case, I think that they're close enough to finished now that by announcing 10/28, they're pretty sure of hitting that target date.