Fort Wayne International Airport Celebrates Positive Traffic and Capacity Growth

Katie Robinson  ·  August 2023
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Fort Wayne, Ind. – Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) is celebrating a summer of progress. As of the end of July 2023, FWA has now had three consecutive months of passenger enplanements exceeding 2019’s record numbers – FWA’s 10th year of consecutive growth prior to the 2020 pandemic.

FWA is up 11.6% compared to July 2022 and up 7.54% in year-to-date enplanements (outbound passengers) compared to 2022. In year-to-date total passenger traffic, FWA is up 8.3%. July 2023 is up 5% over July 2019, while year-to-date the airport is on the cusp of meeting 2019’s passenger traffic numbers.

In addition to positive enplanement and passenger traffic numbers, FWA has seen a number of encouraging air service developments, including increasing frequencies to FWA’s 12 non-stop destinations.

United Airlines has added an additional fourth daily, non-stop flight to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) from FWA beginning Thursday, September 7. This fourth daily flight is currently available for booking and is scheduled to run through Saturday, October 28. This additional frequency will operate five days per week with a 6:20 AM departure to ORD, and 9:05 PM arrival at FWA. United added a third-daily flight in September 2022.

The addition of this flight shows United’s interest in increasing their presence in the Fort Wayne market. Should the fourth daily flight be successful, United could potentially extend it within their flight schedule. Passengers can book now via united.com or at 1-800-241-6522.

“It is encouraging to see the passenger traffic numbers meet, and now exceed, 2019’s strong travel numbers,” said Scott Hinderman, Executive Director of Airports. “We know that the Fort Wayne community and Northeast Indiana region has a strong demand for air travel, and it is our hope that with additional capacity offered to our passengers we can continue to see strong growth through the end of 2023, and beyond.”

Over the past year FWA has seen a number of wins with airlines adding capacity with increased frequency and larger aircraft.

  • American Airlines added a third daily, non-stop flight to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in October 2022. Charlotte continues to be a high-performing route for FWA, and American Airlines has recognized the demand.
  • Delta Air Lines upgauged the aircraft serving both the Atlanta and Minneapolis markets in October 2022. Passengers flying to and through Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) now fly on the larger CRJ-900 aircraft, which seats 76 passengers.
  • Beginning in April 2023, American Airlines added a third daily flight to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Not only did AA add an additional frequency to the DFW route, it also upgauged the aircraft for all three flights to the 75-seat Embraer-175 aircraft.
  • In June 2023 American Airlines added a third daily flight to their FWA to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) route. Currently this route operates on both the 65-seat CRJ-700 and 50-seat CRJ and ERJ-145 aircraft. Beginning in December 2023 all flights will upgauge to the larger CRJ-700.


    About 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. The airport authority is governed by a six-member board appointed by the Mayor of Fort Wayne and the Allen County Commissioners. Serving northeast Indiana and the surrounding region, FWA offers nonstop service to 13 cities on four airlines. 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. For more information about the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority, visit www.FWAirport.com    .