Indy Airport Celebrates Inaugural Launch of the First Alaska Airlines Flight

INDIANAPOLIS (May 11, 2017) – Today nearly 200 passengers lifted off out of Indianapolis International Airport (IND) on the first nonstop Alaska Airlines flight from the city. Passengers were heading for Seattle, a destination that has been in big demand among businesses and leisure travelers over the past few years.

The new, nonstop service is the first year-round flight to Seattle in the airport’s history. The Alaska Airlines flights will operate daily and fly nonstop between Indianapolis International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

“Today’s flight is a testament to the power of collaboration and a collective commitment to uplift Indianapolis,” said Mayor Joe Hogsett. “But this is truly more than a new flight. It’s a new route to economic development, job creation and talent retention – a new connection with the West Coast for businesses in Indianapolis, and across our state.”

The Indianapolis Airport Authority was flying high last summer as officials announced Alaska Airlines will become the newest air service carrier out of the Indy airport. The IAA worked closely with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the City of Indianapolis, Visit Indy, the Indy Chamber and representatives from the local tech industry to bring Alaska Airlines to the city.

The IEDC reports that Seattle is a prime destination for entrepreneurs and executives in the tech sector, which is growing in Indiana at a rate three times faster than the national average.

Seattle also provides easy access to well-known attractions such as the Seattle Space Needle and the Museum of Flight – in addition to mountain tours, whale watching, beaches, islands, high-end spas, wine tours, whitewater rafting, and a long list of activities and destination for all interests.

“By providing direct access to Seattle, this is the latest new flight that is helping connect Hoosiers and Indiana businesses to customers, destinations and people on the West Coast,” said Jim Schellinger, Indiana secretary of commerce. “When companies consider locating new jobs in Indiana, they consistently tell us that they’re looking for quick connections to top markets across the country and around the world. Direct flights are critical for businesses to make those connections, in addition to providing a key amenity that helps retain and attract top talent to the state.”

Second flight on the way, sends strong message about Indianapolis

Since its Aug. 2016 announcement regarding its Seattle flight, Alaska Airlines has also announced it will be adding a nonstop, daily flight to San Francisco starting Sept. 26, 2017.

“The investment in a second flight to a crucial market, so quickly after announcing its nonstop daily flight to Seattle, makes a statement that Alaska Airlines anticipates Indianapolis can deliver the business and leisure passenger traffic they need to run successful routes out of our city,” said Mario Rodriguez, executive director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority. “We’re all ears to that message.”

“We want to thank the Indianapolis Airport Authority, Visit Indy, Indiana EDC, and Indianapolis Chamber for their support and partnership to bring Alaska Airlines to Indianapolis,” said John Kirby, vice president of capacity planning at Alaska Airlines. “With this support, the Seattle service looks like a winner out of the gate and it gave us the confidence to introduce new service to San Francisco starting this fall.”

Since January, the Indy airport’s reach to the western United States in 2017 has expanded with new flight announcements from several airlines. Allegiant will add a daily nonstop flight to Austin, Texas in May, Frontier Airlines announced it will be adding a nonstop flight to Las Vegas in July and Southwest will welcome a new nonstop seasonal flight to San Diego from June through August.

The Indianapolis airport averages 143 daily flights, seasonally and year-round, to 46 nonstop destinations.