Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) Experiences Record Growth in 2014
Fort Wayne, Indiana (PRWEB) December 15, 2014 -- The Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) and the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership announced today that the airport’s passenger traffic is up by 7.4% and seating capacity increased by 24.8% since November 2013, with 1,800 new seats leaving the market per week. This year, American Airlines and US Airways launched new flights from Fort Wayne to Philadelphia (PHL) and Charlotte (CLT), United Airlines increased its daily flights to Chicago (ORD), and Delta brought in larger CRJ’s to serve Atlanta (ATL).
“While most mid-sized U.S. airports are seeing a reduction in service, our airport is experiencing record-setting growth with increased flights and capacity,” said Scott Hinderman, executive director of airports, Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority. “Our civic and business leaders have banded together to support new air service through an aggressive incentive program.”
The Fort Wayne community made $2 million in incentives available in the form of a minimum revenue guarantee to the first airline to add a new nonstop route to help offset startup costs. Airlines that establish new non-stop routes or increase service levels from Fort Wayne can also qualify for abatements on airport fees and marketing support.
“Our growing airport sets us apart from other mid-sized markets for businesses expanding or relocating here,” said John Sampson, president and CEO of the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership. “Headquartered companies like Steel Dynamics, Vera Bradley, Sweetwater Sound and Franklin Electric can now make day-trips to major U.S. cities for business and enjoy the lower costs, productive workforce and high quality of life that the Fort Wayne region offers.”
FWA currently offers nonstop daily flights to Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, Atlanta and Dallas/Fort Worth on major carriers including American, Delta and United. The airport also offers service to five vacation destinations on Allegiant. Through November 2014, total enplanements, or the number of passengers boarding flights out of Fort Wayne, were 294,498, with 156 flights operating each week.
“We’re beginning to see that the airport’s expansion is assisting with business development, attracting additional events to our city and increasing travel options for Fort Wayne residents,” said Nancy Jordan, senior vice president, individual annuity operations, Lincoln Financial Group. “The new air service has also made it easier for our employees and business partners to travel into and out of Fort Wayne. We’re receiving favorable feedback from all of our travelers.”
Indiana’s second largest city with a regional population of nearly 700,000, Fort Wayne is centrally located in the Great Lakes region. Fort Wayne is two hours from Indianapolis and three hours from Chicago, Detroit, Columbus and Cincinnati by car.
About the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership
With a convenient location, low cost of doing business, diverse workforce and abundant resources, Fort Wayne and the surrounding region in Northeast Indiana is becoming a sought-after area for business development and company relocation. The Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership is a public-private partnership focused on generating business leads and building regional capacity through product development and effective regional collaboration. For more information, visit http://www.NEIndiana.com.
About the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority
The Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority (FWACAA) was created in 1985 and is responsible for managing the Fort Wayne International Airport and Smith Field Airport. Since FWACAA’s inception, Fort Wayne International Airport has undergone an aggressive improvement plan which included expansion of the terminal and parking areas, upgrades to the runways, and the creation of an Air Trade Center and Foreign Trade Zone to promote economic development in Northeast Indiana. As a result of FWACAA’s commitment to customer service, Fort Wayne International Airport was recognized by USA Today as one of the friendliest airports in the nation. The Authority is governed by a six–member board appointed by both the Mayor of Fort Wayne and the Allen County Commissioners. For more information about the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority, visit http://www.FWAirport.com.
Kendra Walker, +1 303-477-4382, [email protected]
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