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 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. IND is owned by the City of Indianapolis and operated by the Indianapolis Airport Authority.

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

A good area to view 23L arrivals as well as 5R departures is the old terminal exit road across from the Crowne Plaza hotel. If you go up on the grass hill, you can get some good shots of the FedEx MD-11's, 767's, and A300's (and on busier days, CRJ/ERJ's and 737's). 23L arrivals yield better shots as the aircraft are usually lower on approach than they are departing on 5R. If airport police drive by, do not worry. They will give you a passing glance and keep driving.

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. Photography is out of the question here, as you're too far for any decent shots. This is a good place to simply watch aircraft only.

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-100, CRJ-200

Alaska Airlines: 737-800, 737-900ER

Allegiant Air: A319, A320

American Airlines: 737-800, A319, A320, A321 (seasonal), MD-83

American Eagle: CRJ-200, CRJ-700, CRJ-900, ERJ-145, E-175

Delta Air Lines: 717-200, 737-800, 737-900ER, 757-200 (seasonal), 767-300ER, A319, A320, MD-88, MD-90

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

Frontier Airlines: A319, A320, A321

Southwest Airlines: 737-700, 737-800, 737 MAX 8 (currently grounded)

Spirit Airlines: A319 (seasonal), A320

Sun Country Airlines (charters only): 737-700, 737-800

United Airlines: 737-800, 737-900ER, A319, A320

United Express: CRJ-200, CRJ-700, ERJ-145, E-170, E-175

Cargo

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

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

FedEx Feeder: ATR 42, ATR 72, Cessna 208

When weather (usually summer thunderstorms) hinders operations at Chicago-O'Hare (ORD), flights are usually diverted to closer airports including IND. Regular diversions include American and United regional jets, A320 and 737 aircraft as well as American 787s and AirBridge Cargo 747-8Fs

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