GOVERNMENT & POLICY

Indy Chamber, Indianapolis Airport Authority launch $15M 'Speed City' fund to add nonstop flights at IND

The Indy Chamber announced on 2026-10-02 that, together with the Indianapolis Airport Authority, it is launching the Speed City Nonstop Growth Fund — a $15 million, private-sector-backed effort described as intended to add more nonstop domestic and international flights to and from Indianapolis International Airport (IND).

BUSINESSINDY BRIEFBy BusinessIndy Editorial StaffCommentsPublished October 6, 2026 at 11:48 AM EDTOriginal reporting: October 2, 2026 at 1:00 PM EDT · Brief prepared from earlier coverage

AI-generated illustration of the topic: Indy Chamber, Indianapolis Airport Authority launch $15M 'Speed City' fund to add nonstop flights at IND — AI illustration · Not a photograph of the reported event.

This summary is based on an Indy Chamber legislative update published on 2026-10-02. The update says the Indy Chamber and the Indianapolis Airport Authority are launching the Speed City Nonstop Growth Fund, described as a $15 million private-sector-backed fund to add more nonstop domestic and international flights at Indianapolis International Airport (IND).

The update also notes local context cited during the Chamber’s 2026 Leadership Exchange trip to Dublin: IND currently has 57 nonstop flights per the update, Aer Lingus added nonstop Indianapolis–Dublin service in 2025 (initially four weekly flights, later five), and Indy Chamber President and CEO Matt Mindrum co-authored an op-ed about the Speed City fund with Indianapolis Airport Authority CEO Mario Rodriguez and civic leader David Lewis.

WHY IT MATTERS

What changed and who this affects: The Indy Chamber’s announcement describes a concentrated funding effort to expand direct air service at Indianapolis International Airport. A "nonstop" flight means service between two cities without scheduled stops; more nonstop routes make it easier for travelers and companies to reach markets without transfers. The update frames the fund as private-sector-backed and aimed at adding both domestic and international nonstop connections, which could matter to business travelers, conventions, tourism partners and employers that value direct access to key markets.

How it would work in practice: The update describes the fund’s goal but does not list how it will be used, who the private backers are, or which routes airlines might add. That means the next concrete steps to watch are announcements of the fund’s capitalization, participating private investors, and any airline commitments to new nonstop routes. The update cited comparable examples — for instance, a reported April 2026 St. Louis–London launch — to illustrate the kinds of connectivity outcomes the fund’s backers hope to achieve.

Next milestone to watch: Look for follow-up releases from the Indy Chamber or the Indianapolis Airport Authority outlining fund mechanics, investor commitments and specific airline route plans; the 2026-10-02 update presented the Speed City fund as a launched initiative but did not provide those operational details.

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