Indianapolis airport working to get transatlantic flights

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The Indianapolis International Airport has hired the Indy Chamber to help fast-track its efforts to secure a transatlantic flight.

The Indianapolis Business Journal (http://bit.ly/2qd4XGE) reported the Indianapolis Airport Authority approved a yearlong contract. The airport will pay the chamber up to $180,000 to provide market research and data for air service development and land development.

The chamber will also assist with permitting, incentives, retention and expansion for parties interested in working with the airport.

The airport doesn't have direct flights to Europe, so securing a transatlantic flight is a top priority, said Marsha Stone, the airport's senior director of commercial enterprise.

London is at the top of the list of destinations, Stone said, but the airport is also looking into Paris, Frankfort or Amsterdam.

The chamber and the airport have previously worked together on an informal basis, but the new contract will allow the airport to make specific and time-sensitive requests.

"It puts us in a position where we can really focus our efforts," said Ian Nicolini, vice president of Indianapolis economic development at the Indy Chamber.

The airport also hopes to tap into the state's new $15 million economic development fund to help attract new direct flights.

"We want to make sure we're out there and ready to get those dollars," Stone said. "I've got to have data to get in front of these airlines."

The airport may extend the contract past one year if they see a need for it, Stone said.

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Information from: Indianapolis Business Journal, http://www.ibj.com