There are some news articles and reports here in Indy that suggest the airport project may be delayed, again. The airlines are worried about higher operating costs of the new terminal (which is understandable). The thing i am having trouble with is that the airport is not supposed to be done until 2008, (a year later than originally suggested). The economy and the airline industry i am sure will get much better at some point by 2008, or at least i would hope so. The air traffic control tower is almost complete and they already have the ground ready for the construction of the new terminal. What are the chances that the project will be delayed or even scrapped? I am curious to see what any airliners.netters from the Indy area think.  )

I'm from Indiana myself (my hometown airport is FWA), and I have been at IND many times too. I have been following their midfield terminal project closely.

As far as I know, they're still continuing with the construction of everything (ground levelling, I-70 rerouting nearly done, I-70 Airport Exit in progress, control tower almost done, etc). I normally visit the IND airport website http://www.indianapolisairport.com for news and updates. Try there!

Hope this helps!

SmithAir747

thanks...i check there often but it seems like it is not updated a whole lot. When will they start using the "new" i-70. It looks very strange to see the interchange and the roads leading into the new terminal area which are cut off abrubptly.

All i know is they need the new terminal...it is ridiculous how long it takes to taxi to/from the runway.

In another tread, somebody suggested that with TZ (ATA) boing belly up, the whole project may be postponed until the airport's activity gets back to higher levels. IND is my home airport for the next month only (I graduate from IU in dec) so I will probably never see anything out of the ground...
Cheers

I think that it will probably be built, but maybe not as large as the original plan called for.

Either that, or they'll just put it off til they can pay for it. The current terminal is a good size, and I dont see a whole lot more traffic coming in the very near future, so they can probably put it off.

I'm sure there will be plenty of growth in the long-term that will lead to increased air service, but right now IND has plenty of service, so they can get by with the current terminal while they get their finances straight for the new one. If they're smart, they'll time it so that the new terminal is open shortly before the current one reaches gridlock, which is probably a ways off. With TZ, US, and DH being in financial trouble, I see some flights probably being cut at the very least. At the worst, I see one or two of those carriers going down the tubes. In any event, the current terminal probably won't reach gridlock for a while.

This is all just educated guessing, but in any event, thats my $.02

From a financial standpoint IND is in good shape because over half its revenue comes from cargo. Just under 50% is from FedEx alone...and FedEx's business is growing, probably meaning addtional expansions and more flights. I posted a thread a few weeks ago that I heard a rumor the old terminal was going to be bought by Simon Properties and turned into a mall, I think the person who told me that might be a little off. There was an article in the Indianapolis Star sometime this week that the new terminal is going to look "like a mall with airplanes parked around it". I didnt get a chance to read the article but based on that subtitle alone that worries me, I mean even I won't go to the airport to shop, let alone the average person. Plus, how are they going to deal with the ever increasing security demands? It is my hope, and I think there is a possibilty this could happen, that TZ sells off MDW and concentrates on IND, meaning more flights here. Plus NW is expanding here as well. We don't rely on US like we used to so I don't even think that is part of the equation, neither is DH. I mean UA, NW, AA and WN all have more flights here than US now. Plus if US or TZ (or both) go under I expect to see FL here. Basic summary, I think the Midfield terminal will go on, maybe with some modifications, probably over budget and not on time. The only real question is if they are going to build a new runway south of I-70 with the taxiway over the interstate.