Amid record travel, Fort Wayne International Airport is planning several expansions to accommodate its growing traffic. Photo by Visit Fort Wayne.

News Release

FORT WAYNE — Passenger travel in Fort Wayne International Airport is set to reach record levels this year, airport officials say.

The airport is reporting an 18% year-over-year increase in passengers so far. If trends continue, this will mark the third year of record travel for FWA.

In conjunction with the airport’s considerable growth, the Allen County Council approved $5.3 million for three projects, with $4.6 million dedicated to a revamp of FWA’s terminal exit road. The project will add 500 parking spaces and is expected to begin in late summer.

Previously, a 2024 expansion added 230 spots to the parking lot. That year saw a 7.6% travel increase over 2023, with 856,803 passengers flying in and out.

Multiple airlines are also adding more flights to FWA and increasing aircraft size.

Delta Airlines has added a second flight from Fort Wayne to Detroit, after a 2024 reintroduction of the route. United Airlines has extended its fourth Chicago flight though April 2026. And American Airlines, which has already increased the aircraft size for two of its three non-stop Chicago flights, plans to upgauge its third flight from summer to the end of the year.

Scott Hinderman, executive director of airports for FWA, says the airport is working with carriers to bring extra destinations to travelers. In the meantime, the Allen County Capital Improvement Board voted to pledge up to $5 million on a business attraction effort for FWA. The company involved in the effort has not been named, though it is known not to currently operate in Indiana.

Project Gateway, a $140 million renovation that began before the COVID-19 pandemic, will finish by the year’s end. Construction focuses on remodeling the airport’s West Terminal and continuing work on the East Terminal.

A fourth gate will soon be open to the public. Gate four will have a large glass frontage that allows travelers a view of the entire gate area.

Other Project Gateway additions include a new restaurant, Hop River Brewing, and Bon Bon’s Coffee. A recent addition is the Gateway Lounge, a membership-exclusive area offering amenities for business travelers.