In a “normal” year, the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) would be bustling with travelers heading home for the holidays or departing for warm-weather destinations to escape Indiana winters. And, if you’re like me, bookmarking airline promotions for the best deal for a new year’s getaway or inviting a long-distance friend to visit Indy.
Passenger numbers may be down in 2020, but the Indy airport is still welcoming travelers, and doing so in a safe and healthy way as we all are doing our part to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Year after year, our airport frontline workers have ensured the cleanliness of the terminal to great success. Not only is the Indy airport noted as one of the cleanest in North America (ranked from traveler surveys like Travel + Leisure and J.D. Power), but now it has also received an industry-leading designation as a healthy airport in response to the pandemic.
Airports Council International certified the Indy airport with its Airport Health Accreditation. The program assesses an airport’s compliance with new health measures and procedures, which include cleaning and disinfection, physical distancing (where feasible and practical), staff protection, physical layout, passenger communications and passenger facilities.
To plan your health-conscious trip, see a map of airports with this global health accreditation.
If, and when, you decide to travel through the Indy airport, our dedicated staff is doing everything possible to ensure your health and safety. Since March, we’ve implemented an abundance of measures throughout the terminal and airport campus to protect the traveling public, such as installing ‘Be KIND, stay six feet behind’ ground markings and signage to guide passengers in social distancing, providing additional hand sanitizing stations for customer convenience, installing Plexiglass shields in high-traffic areas, increasing cleaning frequency in high-congregation areas and on shuttle busses, deep cleaning public restrooms hourly, and implementing touchless payment procedures wherever possible. In addition, the airport follows Marion County Public Health Department’s guidance, including requiring workers, passengers, and visitors to wear face coverings or masks.
Do your part. Follow these helpful travel tips for a safe and healthy flight in the current environment. Overall, don’t travel if you’re sick and seek medical attention. Practice social distancing whenever possible and protect yourself and others by properly wearing a face covering or mask.
- Bring your own gloves, hand sanitizer, and cleaning wipes
- Many airlines are offering complimentary health and safety kits
- TSA is allowing hand sanitizer (up to 12 oz.) in carry-on bags until further notice
- Whenever possible, limit your touchpoints
- Download your airline’s mobile app for all pertinent travel updates
- Use a mobile boarding pass
- Carry-on luggage rather than checking a bag
- Enroll in TSA PreCheck to limit physical contact in the checkpoint
- Become a parkIND member for touchless parking entry/exit
- Use the Concourse Connector to access available shops and restaurants throughout the terminal, no matter which concourse you’re flying out of
- If you can, drop-off or pick-up friends and family curbside rather than coming into the terminal
- Check the airport website for helpful travel information, including:
- TSA Wait Times – estimated time it will take to go through security
- Available Parking Spaces – choose between available parking options
- Restaurants and Shops Operating Hours – some may have adjusted hours
To learn more about what the Indy airport’s airline, car rental and TSA partners are also doing to ensure traveler safety, and for more airport travel tips for the current environment, visit IND.com/COVID19.
While holiday traditions may look a little different this year, we’re still creating a festive feel in the airport terminal. In addition to a 24-ft. tree full of twinkling lights, colorful poinsettias, and a Hanukkah and Kwanzaa display, local musicians will return to the terminal to play holiday favorites! Enjoy talented performers daily from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. now until December 24.
MEET MEGAN
Megan Carrico’s career has taken off at the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) as the Communications Manager for the Indianapolis Airport Authority, further connecting her to the local community. Megan is a graduate of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series (Class 43) with Leadership Indianapolis and a Ball State University alumna. Twitter: @M_Gish
