Indy 500 Race Weekend at Indy Airport Busiest Since 2019
More flights, more seats and more fans expected race weekend
INDIANAPOLIS (May 19, 2022) – As all of Indy prepares for the biggest spectacle in racing this month, the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) is rolling out the red carpet to welcome travelers from around the world – with nearly 1,000 flights expected to fly in and out of Indianapolis from May 27 through May 30.
“This will be the busiest May air travel month for IND since May 2019,” said Mario Rodriguez, executive director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority. “And we’re putting on the fan fair to welcome the thousands of race fans arriving in our city.”
Airlines are also preparing, with increased seat capacity totaling more than 124,000 seats and additional flights for race weekend.
American Airlines and United Airlines have increased their flight frequency between their hub cities and Indianapolis, which creates a larger network of connections for travelers from across the country and the world. Both also have deployed larger aircraft as well to accommodate more travelers getting to and from Indy.
American Airlines has increased its flight frequency on routes to and from Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth and Philadelphia for race weekend. United Airlines has also increased its flight frequency on routes to and from Chicago, Houston, Newark and Washington D.C. Sun Country will resume its nonstop flight to Minneapolis-St. Paul just in time for race day weekend on May 27.
Rolling Out the Red Carpet
The Indy airport is rolling out the red carpet for race fans, and the first wave of summer air travel, with various race displays, a pop-up retail shop, and art and music to create a festive atmosphere to rev up motorsports fans.
“As fans exit from their flights into the airport’s public gathering area, Civic Plaza, they’ll be greeted with huge window displays that look out onto the airfield, signage across our expansive catwalk and – best of all -- an INDYCAR will be front and center ready for photo-ops,” said Megan Carrico, IAA director of public affairs.
Travelers and race fans alike can enjoy iconic vehicles on display in the terminal, year-round, through a partnership with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum. The two vehicles currently on display post-security celebrate the history, culture, and excitement of the Month of May in Indy. Located in Concourse A is a 1968 STP Lotus Wedge #20 driven in the 1968 Indianapolis 500 by Art Pollard. Located in Concourse B is a 1967 Dean Van Lines Special driven in the 1967 Indianapolis 500 by Mario Andretti who came within an eye-blink of recording the first-ever official 170-miles-per-hour lap at Indianapolis.
Arriving fans can also indulge their shopping urge at the pop-up retail shop located in Civic Plaza from May 19 – 31, where they can find a range of Indy 500 merchandise. The pop-up shop will offer Indy 500 apparel, diecast model cars, and everything in between to commemorate the race. Fans can also find Indy 500 items at other retailers throughout the airport.
Race fan art will also be on display in the concourses, with each piece featuring the words “Back Home Again” as, for the first time in three years, a crowd of more than 300,000 will be back in the grandstands to celebrate the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500.
Local artists JD Bills, Mary Mindiola, H. Herin, Mirvia Sol Eckert and Lucie Rice each created unique Indy 500 race motifs that reflect different aspects of the all-encompassing race day weekend, from the track to the famous 500 Festival Parade.
Fans arriving the week of the race can strike a pose in front of the Indy Wings mural, created by Indianapolis Motor Speedway graphic designer Shae Beechler as an ode to the famed IMS “Wing and Wheel” logo. Indy Wings are located across Central Indiana and provide a perfect photo opportunity for fans, pedestrians and business customers. Fans can find the mural at IND in Baggage Claim and share their photos on social media using #IndyWings #IndyWingsatIND #ThisisMay #Indy500.
From May 26 – 27, race fans can get their groove on to the sounds of local musicians while traveling through the Indy airport. On Thursday, singer and guitarist Tim Wright will entertain race fans in Civic Plaza from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Jenn Moe Duo will perform country-pop hits from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday. D.J. Don Masters will spin his musical magic between each performance, playing travelers favorite tunes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Race Day Transportation
The Indy airport will also collaborate again this year with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to provide shuttle service to and from the track on race day. Tickets are now available for purchase online for $50 per person.
“Shuttle service ticket sales have been strong this year, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway believes that is due to pent-up demand due to limited capacity last year,” said Steve Wilson, IAA director of parking operations. “So we firmly recommend race fans get their tickets now.”
More information about the shuttle service can be found on the IMS website.
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