Fort Wayne International Airport Takes Precautions for COVID-19
The Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority (FWACAA) is taking the necessary steps to make sure that Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) remains a safe and healthy environment for all passengers, guests, and employees during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Fort Wayne International Airport and Smith Field Airport continue to be open and operational. The Airport Authority offices are open on an adjusted schedule: 8am - 4:30pm Monday through Friday with the office closed from 11:30am - 12:30pm for lunch.
Continue to Mask Up
While the statewide Mask Mandate has been lifted, Fort Wayne International Airport continues to ask all passengers, guests, and employees to wear a mask at the airport. FWA is following the security directive issued by the the Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) by Executive Order from President Biden. As of April 30, 2021 TSA has extended the face mask requirement through September 13, 2021. TSA has developed requirements in consultation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The full security directive can be read here.
All passengers, guests, and employees in the airport terminal's indoor public spaces will need to continue to wear a mask, or face covering of some kind, while at FWA. FWA and Airport Authority employees will also be following this requirement when out and about in the terminal building.
Keeping FWA Safe and Healthy
FWA is using a cleaning product that is an approved sanitizer against the human Coronavirus.
Staff is wiping down high touch points multiple times daily. - This includes doorknobs, elevator buttons, handrails, ticket counters, seating areas, restrooms, etc.
Additional hand sanitizing stations have been placed throughout the terminal building.
Airline, TSA, restaurant, and car rental staff are paying special attention to sanitizing their leased areas and counter spaces.
Plastic sneeze guards have been installed at all airline tickets counters, car rental counter, gate podiums, and the Airport Authority front desk.
Social distancing markers have been placed on areas where lines may form.
The Airport Authority is encouraging passengers to stay informed and contact their air carrier with specific questions about their flight via their websites, customer service departments, and social media.
Due to COVID-19, further precautionary measures have been taken to protect both staff and the traveling public at FWA.
Valet Parking Services have been suspended and all paid parking lots have been transitioned to credit card only in efforts to decrease person-to-person contact.
The Airport’s Customer Service Agent (CSA) program has resumed in a reduced capacity and limited schedule. Passengers needing CSA assistance should call ahead to schedule and ensure a CSA will be on duty.
FWA’s Hospitality Host Program, which are volunteers that hand out cookies and assist passengers with questions about NE Indiana, are returning to the airport on a limited basis. Prepackaged, individually wrapped cookies will be available for passengers via the Cookie Kiosk located near security exit when volunteers are not on duty.
The restaurant is open, but may have special precautions and procedures in place.
The Airport Authority Administrative Offices are closed to the public, and no one will be allowed in without a pre-existing appointment or special circumstance.
Lost and Found items falling under certain categories outlined by Airport Authority staff may be kept for a shorter period of time before being disposed of, if not claimed.
TSA Changes
Passengers keep possession of boarding passes. Instead of handing their boarding pass to a TSA officer at the travel document podium, travelers should now place their boarding pass (paper or electronic) on the boarding pass reader themselves.
Separate food for X-ray screening. Passengers should place their carry-on food items into a clear plastic bag and place that bag into a bin. TSA Precheck members do not need to remove items from their bags.
Pack smart. Passengers should take extra care to ensure that they do not have any prohibited items, such as liquids, gels or aerosols in quantities greater than 3.4 ounces, in their carry-on bags (water bottles, shampoo). In response to COVID-19, TSA is allowing one liquid hand sanitizer container, up to 12 ounces per passenger, in carry-on bags.
Practice social distancing. Passengers should allow for social distancing to reduce direct contact between employees and travelers whenever possible without compromising security. Noticeable adjustments leading up to the security checkpoint include, increasing the distance between individuals as they enter the security checkpoint, placing visual reminders of appropriate spacing on checkpoint floors and staggering the use of lanes where feasible.
Wear facial protection. TSA officers at checkpoints are now using facial protection. Travelers are encouraged to wear face protection to the checkpoint as well. Please note, however, passengers may need to adjust it during the screening process.
Real ID Deadline Extended. You now have until May 3, 2023 to upgrade your license to a Real ID. Following May 3, 2023 a Real ID will be mandatory in order to fly.
To stay up to date with the most current information at FWA, please follow Fort Wayne International Airport on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
