Indianapolis International Airport
| Continent: North America | Country: United States | 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 |
| Ground | 121.8 121.9 |
| Clearance | 128.75 |
| Approach | 124.65 127.15(WEST OF ACTIVE RWY) 128.175(EAST OF ACTIVE RWY) |
| Departure | 119.05 WEST 124.95 EAST |
| 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. Views of both parallel runways are available 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. A new expansion on the north end of the garage allows for closer views of 5L/23R, as well as a view of aircraft parked along the B concourse.
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 three times a week since 5L/23R is always their preferred runway. However, a longer lens may be needed.
Airside spotting is also available in Civic Plaza pre-TSA and in the concourses. Large, panoramic windows offer wide views of the airfield.
On the off-chance that the crosswind runway is being used, options are limited. For departures on runway 32, parking behind the building of the now-defunct ATA Airlines off of Washington Street was once available, but security measures may or may not be in place there now. From there, the aircraft taking off on runway 32 and arriving on 14 will fly right over you and good shots can be had. However, the aircraft fly over with little warning, so be watching through the trees. For aircraft departing on runway 14, options are limited. On Perimeter Road, there is no shoulder to pull off on and there is a chance you will be 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. Do not linger here as airport police patrol through there frequently.
To view departures on 23L, parking is available in the cell phone lot. The overflow section is closer to aircraft approaching 5R. This is a good location to watch FedEx aircraft.
Locations to Avoid
Do not attempt to view aircraft from Perimeter Road as it will draw the attention of law enforcement.
Stay away from FedEx property on the south side of the airfield.
Regular Traffic
Passenger
Aer Lingus: A321XLR (begins May 3rd, 2025)
Air Canada Express: E175 (seasonal)
Alaska Airlines: 737-800, 737-900ER, 737 MAX 9
Allegiant Air: A319, A320
American Airlines: 737-800, A319, A320, A321
American Eagle: CRJ-700, CRJ-900, E-170, E-175
Delta Air Lines: 717, 737-800, 737-900ER, 757-200 (seasonal), A319, A320, A321
Delta Connection: CRJ-700, CRJ-900, 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-550, E-170, E-175
Cargo
Cargolux: 747-400F, 747-8F (rare)
Castle Aviation: C208
FedEx Express: 757-200, 767-300, 777, A300, MD-11
FedEx Feeder: ATR 42, ATR 72, C208, C408
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. An elevated, enclosed walkway connects the terminal to the parking garage.
The Ground Transportation Center (GTC) on level 1 of the parking garage serves as the terminal for many bus routes to and from the airport as well as the rental car hub. Parking lot shuttles arrive and depart from the GTC. Indianapolis' city bus service, IndyGo, serves the airport via route 8. A proposed BRT route, the Blue Line, would replace route 8 if constructed.
Numerous private buses, shuttles, and limousines provide service to downtown Indianapolis, Lafayette, and Chicago from the GTC. Taxis queue at the taxi waiting area on the lower level of the terminal.
Links
- IND Airport Community Site