New Indy Nonstop Flight Opens Another Gate to West Coast
New flight gives access to top unserved travel destination
INDIANAPOLIS (Jan. 5, 2017) – Southwest Airlines’ announcement today of a new seasonal nonstop flight to San Diego is big news for Indy business and leisure travelers -- and a big addition to the Indianapolis International Airport’s access to the West Coast.
“Southwest has taken the lead in flight capacity in Indianapolis,” said Mario Rodriguez, executive director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority. “They’ve been investing heavily in the Indy market, and have had their ears open to the customer. When they saw this opportunity to add San Diego, they made it happen.”
Southwest Airlines’ investment in the Indianapolis market is evident by the fact it offered 70 percent more seats flying out of the Indy airport in 2016 than in 2014.
Rodriguez said San Diego is the Indy airport’s top unserved market. “San Diego is heavy with business opportunity, particularly in the tech sector, and it’s a favorite conference destination and a strong leisure hold in southern California,” said Rodriguez who previously served as the executive director of the Long Beach International Airport.
While today’s announcement is for seasonal daily nonstop Southwest flights to San Diego from June through August, the IAA sees it as an important addition in covering massive ground on the West Coast. Last fall, the IAA and Alaska Airlines announced a new nonstop flight out of Indy to Seattle-Tacoma will begin in May 2017. United Airlines already offers a nonstop flight from Indy to San Francisco. Before the Southwest announcement today, the only existing flight out of the Indy airport to southern California is via Los Angeles International Airport.
The new seasonal service to San Diego brings the total number of nonstop flights to 44 leaving out of Indy.
IAA Board President Kelly Flynn said today’s announcement is a great tee-up for what could be ahead. “Southwest has provided a significant opportunity for fulfilling our goals expanding reach into the West Coast, but the IAA has real opportunity ahead to connect Indy travelers and industries via nonstop domestic flights to the broader Western United States.”
Rodriguez said news to that effect could be just days away.
Click here for details about Southwest Airlines’ new nonstop flight to San Diego.