Indianapolis International Airport

Region: Indiana

Indianapolis International Airport
Location	Indianapolis, Indiana
IATA code	IND
ICAO code	KIND
Airport type	Commercial
Website	http://www.indianapolisairport.com/
Overview map	Google Maps
Communications
Tower	120.9 RYS 14/32 & 05R/23L 127.82 RY 05L/23R 257.8
Ground	121.9 121.8
Clearance	128.75 257.8
Approach	119.3 124.65(WEST OF ACTIVE RWY) 127.15(EAST OF ACTIVE RWY) 317.8
Departure	119.05 WEST 124.95(EAST) 317.8
ATIS	134.25
Departure	122.95

IND is the main airport for Indianapolis, Indiana. Indianapolis International Airport is the largest airport in the state of Indiana. It is a hub for shipping giant FedEx and a focus city for Allegiant Air and Contour Airlines. IND is owned by the City of Indianapolis and operated by the Indianapolis Airport Authority.

Official Spotting Locations

Location

Other Spotting Locations

On top of the parking garage is a great place to spot. You can get both parallel runways from on top of the garage. The price is $2 per half hour or $18 per day. On the north side of the garage, you can view most if not all passenger aircraft. On the south side you can clearly view the FedEx ramp and their aircraft.

There are several business parking lots along W Washington St that offer a great view of traffic landing on 23R or departing 5L. This is a great way to view or photograph Cargolux 747's when they visit IND once or twice a week since 5L/23R is always their preferred runway. However, you will need a good zoom lense for these shots.

Airside spotting is also decent

On the off-chance that the crosswind runway is being used, your options are limited. For departures on runway 32, I like to park behind the building of the now-defunct ATA Airlines off of Washington Street. From there, the aircraft taking off on runway 32 and arriving on 14 will fly right over you and you can get some good shots. There is a downside though. The aircraft fly over with little warning, so be watching through the trees. For aircraft departing on runway 14, you're pretty much out of luck. You could take you chances and park on Perimeter Road, but there is no shoulder to pull off on and there is a chance you can driven away by airport police.

Along Perimeter Road, there is an old spotting area near the Gate Gourmet building. One of the lots is blocked off, but one isn't. This spot is good for 23R arrivals.

To view departures on 23L, you can park in the cell phone lot. I suggest the cell phone lot overflow section, though, because you're closer to the aircraft. This is a good location to watch FedEx aircraft.

Locations to Avoid

Do not attempt to view aircraft from Perimeter Rd as it will draw the attention of law enforcement.

Regular Traffic

Passenger

Air Canada Express: CRJ-900

Alaska Airlines: 737-800, 737-900ER, 737 MAX 9

Allegiant Air: A319, A320

American Airlines: 737-800, A319, A320, A321 (seasonal)

American Eagle: CRJ-700, CRJ-900, E-170, E-175

Contour Airlines: ERJ-135/145

Delta Air Lines: 717-200, 737-800, 737-900ER, 757-200 (seasonal), A319, A320, A321

Delta Connection: CRJ-200, CRJ-700, CRJ-900, E-170, E-175

Frontier Airlines: A320, A321

Southwest Airlines: 737-700, 737-800, 737 MAX 8

Spirit Airlines: A319, A320, A321

Sun Country Airlines: 737-800 (seasonal)

United Airlines: 737-700, 737-800, 737-900ER, 737 MAX 9, A319, A320

United Express: CRJ-200, CRJ-550, ERJ-145, E-170, E-175

Cargo

Cargolux: 747-400F, 747-8F (rare)

FedEx Express: 757-200, 767-300, 777F, A300-600, A310, MD-10, MD-11

FedEx Feeder: ATR 42, ATR 72, Cessna 208

MSC Air Cargo: 777F

Purolator: C208, DH8A

When weather (usually summer thunderstorms) hinders operations at Chicago-O'Hare (ORD), flights are usually diverted to IND among other airports. This can sometimes to lead to international heavies being diverted here.

Facilities and Transportation

The 1.2 million square-foot Colonel H. Weir Cook Terminal, opened in 2008, is the first airport terminal to be designed and built post 9/11.

Links

IND Airport Community Site