New Airport to Open October 28, 2008

The new facilities of Indianapolis International Airport, including a new passenger terminal, parking garage and highway access, are expected to open Tuesday, October 28, 2008.

The Indianapolis Airport Authority Board announced the target date at its February 15 meeting. Authority Executive Director John J. Kish said construction on the $1.1 billion project will be substantially completed by the end of July.

The remaining time before opening will be dedicated to training, completion of vendor spaces and testing of systems and equipment. A schedule of opening events will be announced in the coming weeks.

Planning for the New Indianapolis Airport Project began in 1975, when the Indianapolis Airport Authority adopted a master plan for airport development. That plan called for a layout of two main, parallel runways with a non-intersecting crosswind runway, while leaving room for a new, Ôø‡Ôø‡Ôø‡midfieldÔø‡Ôø‡Ôø‡ terminal complex between them.

The project includes:

• A new, 40-gate terminal building that will replace the current terminal. The current terminal will close the day the new terminal opens. The new terminal features outstanding architecture, the ability to accept international arrivals, enhanced retail and dining opportunities and capacity to handle growth from the airportÔø‡Ôø‡Ôø‡s current 8.2 million annual passengers.
• A new, five-story parking garage that can accommodate 5,900 cars and 1,200 rental cars. The garage is located immediately west of the new terminal building.
• More than 17,000 parking spaces, including the garage and surface lots.
• Direct access from Interstate 70 just west of Interstate 465. A new interchange dedicated to the airport is ready to open with the terminal.

In addition to the main features, the project includes a program of integrated art commissioned for the airport, a new Air Traffic Control Tower, a new airport fire station and other new structures.