INDIANAPOLIS- Indianapolis International Airport is adding its 10th airline.

Contour Airlines opened for business four years ago, and now flies to 18 cities. Indy will become the 19th on June 10. Contour will fly from Indy to Saint Louis, Pittsburgh and its home city of Nashville — all cities which currently lack nonstop service from Indianapolis.

C-E-O Matt Chaifetz says finding those unserved short-haul markets is at the heart of the airline’s business model. Contour flies smaller aircraft, with just 30 seats, no middle seat, and 36 inches of legroom. Chaifetz says Contour is targeting business travelers who now have to choose between sacrificing 10 hours of productivity to drive to and from their destinations, or adding the annoyance and time of chasing connecting flights. He says the airline expects to expand Indianapolis service further.

Indy had nonstop service to Saint Louis when T-W-A had its hub there, and with Southwest after T-W-A was folded into American Airlines. Chaifetz says Southwest was carrying 100 passengers a day when it eliminated the route, so Contour, with 60 available seats on two daily flights, should easily be able to fill its planes.

Airport executive director Mario Rodriguez says Indy has added 20 nonstop destinations in the last five years, with the addition of Contour bringing the total to 53. He says the airport continues to pursue more, with Mexico City a top target.

 

photos courtesy Contour Airlines