| INDIANAPOLIS (May 7, 2026) – As the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) puts a strong spring-break travel period in its rearview mirror, it is now looking ahead to welcoming fans from around the world to the greatest spectacle in racing, and gearing up for a summer packed with new routes, a new airline, more flights and heavy passenger travel.
Below is a rundown of news for media to use – from spring-break data, to a list of Indy 500 themed live-spot backdrops in the terminal, to information on what’s ahead for the summer travel season.
SPRING BREAK 2026 IN REVIEW (MARCH – APRIL)
The Indy airport wrapped up spring travel with strong numbers. Here’s a look at the numbers and how they translate:
- ~403,000 passengers flew through the Indy airport during spring break 2026
- March 2026 was the second-highest capacity month in IND’s history
- March 2026 passenger totals reached 977,536 — up 1.4% over March 2025
RACE WEEKEND WELCOME: IND ROLLS OUT THE RED CARPET (MAY)
The terminal is decked out and ready to welcome hundreds of thousands of fans from across the country and around the world for the Indianapolis 500 race. Below are some of the photo-op and backdrop visuals on display in the public-access locations of the terminal:
- A McLaren IndyCar on display in the Baggage Claim area
- IMS/500 Indy Car in Civic Plaza
- Race-themed banners, artwork and guest experiences throughout Civic Plaza
- Including a podium photo-op station where race fans can wave the green and checkered flags
IMAGES: For images of race-themed activations throughout the IND terminal, click here.
MAY — NEW ALLEGIANT FLIGHT
May also mark the launch of a new Allegiant flight:
- Allegiant Airlines: IND – Burbank (BUR) | May 22 | 2x weekly, Mondays & Fridays (seasonal)
SUMMER 2026: NEW AIRLINE, NEW ROUTES, MORE FLIGHTS
IND has a bigger summer ahead — with a brand-new airline making its inaugural flights out of Indy, a new nonstop flight to a previously unserved destination launching service, and expanded transatlantic service to Europe.
- Southwest Airlines: IND–San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) | June 6 | previously unserved nonstop destination from Indianapolis
- Avelo Airlines: Inaugural flights| June 18 | Nonstop service to New Haven, CT (HVN) and Concord, NC (USA)
- Aer Lingus: IND–Dublin (DUB) | Fifth flight weekly runs April through summer
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