Record breaking traffic seen at Indianapolis International Airport

The Indianapolis International Airport is busier than ever, according to new numbers.

Over one million people flew through Indianapolis in October, the first time ever that one million have travelled through Indy’s airport in a single month.

October also featured the busiest single day in the airport’s history. October 9 saw over 24,000 passengers flying out of Indianapolis, surpassing the previous record set in May.

These milestones were accomplished during the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history, which began on October 1.

As a result of this shutdown, many airports, including Indianapolis International Airport, were ordered by the government to reduce their number of flights. This was done to reduce pressure on air traffic controllers and other airport workers who went without pay during the shutdown.

Data from the Indianapolis airport says that almost half of October’s outgoing flights were to warmer destinations including Florida, Texas, and southern California.

“October saw a surge in air-travel activity out of Indy, despite federal uncertainty, delivering seven of the 10 heaviest volume days in IND history during the Fall Break 2025 timeframe,” said Mario Rodriguez, executive director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority in a statement.

As airport officials look toward Thanksgiving, they anticipate the heaviest travel days being the last two days of November and the first day of December. Airport officials expect nearly 55 thousand travelers over that three day span.

Their advice if you’re joining that crowd? Make plans, pack with intention, and be sure you get to the airport early.

Contact WFYI Digital Producer and Reporter Jeremy Reuben at jreuben@wfyi.org.