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A new nonstop connection between Indianapolis and Dublin, Ireland, will begin flying out of the Indianapolis International Airport this Saturday, re-establishing a direct line from the airport to Europe.
Irish airline Aer Lingus will fly four days a week—Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The flight will be offered year-round except in January and February.
Aer Lingus told IBJ in a written statement that the new flight is seeing “strong interest” from Hoosiers to travel to Ireland or through the Dublin Airport to other European destinations. While Aer Lingus declined to say how many tickets had been sold, the airline said just a few seats are remaining for the first outbound Indianapolis flight.
The flight will travel 3,718 miles and use an Airbus A321LR with 184 seats (16 business-class seats and 168 economy-class seats), according to travel news site One Mile at a Time.
Indianapolis Airport Authority Executive Director Mario Rodriguez previously told IBJ he estimated the route will fly at 80% to 90% capacity once demand stabilizes after launch.
Tickets are expected to cost between $800 and $1,200, depending on demand.
The first inbound flight will arrive in Indianapolis at 6:25 p.m. Saturday, and the first outbound flight will take off shortly thereafter, at 7:55 p.m.
Outside the gate on Saturday, the airport, airline and about 400 guests are expected to celebrate the new connection with performers, music and speakers. Travelers will get to hear Irish music performed inside the terminal before passengers enter the security checkpoints.
Restoring Indiana’s connection to Europe
State leaders and economic development officials announced the new flight last October. Former Gov. Eric Holcomb, who was in Ireland at the time, said that the new route creates opportunities for both business and leisure.
“It’s important that Indiana always keep investing in itself, by letting the world know we’re open for business and not even the sky’s the limit to our cultivated connections,” he said at the time.
To seal the deal, Aer Lingus was offered a significant incentive package from the Indianapolis Airport Authority, the Indiana Economic Development Corp. and the city of Indianapolis. The IEDC committed to $17 million in annual support, while the airport, over a two-year period, would provide about $2 million a year in credits and advertising.
Indianapolis will become Aer Lingus’ 18th U.S. destination, and the airline will offer passengers connections from Dublin to 20 other European destinations.
State and business leaders have emphasized the need for the state to have a direct transatlantic connection running in and out of the airport.
“That ability to not have to change planes, from a business traveler standpoint, being able to work if they need to and reduce that travel time is just so important,” said Megan Carrico, senior director of public affairs for the airport authority.
Dublin Airport is one of only two airports in Europe that provide U.S.-bound travelers with pre-clearance services. Those traveling on nonstop flights to the United States complete immigration and customs procedures in Dublin prior to their departure and are treated as domestic passengers in Indiana on arrival.
An average of 545 passengers fly out of the airport daily to European destinations using connecting flights. And Carrico said the new flight is expected to generate about $50 million in economic impact annually.
The airport’s last transatlantic flight was to Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport via Delta Air Lines. That connection was cut in 202o due to the pandemic.
Strengthening Hoosier trade relationships
Hoosier businesses will now have more access to one of the state’s largest trade partners.
In 2024, Indiana imported $32.4 billion in Irish goods, which is triple that of the next-closest country, which is Canada.
Ireland is one of the world’s top producers of pharmaceuticals and is highly regarded among drugmakers for its favorable business environment due to its low corporate tax rate, skilled workforce and business-friendly policies.
One of the biggest private-sector partnerships that could benefit from the new connection is Eli Lilly and Co. The Indianapolis-based pharmaceutical giant continues to grow its presence in the country, operating three sites in Ireland that employ about 3,000 people.
“For nearly 50 years, Lilly has been present in Ireland, and we look forward to using this new nonstop flight from Indianapolis to Dublin to make collaboration with Ireland’s skilled workforce even easier,” Eli Lilly spokesperson Tanner Alexander told IBJ in a written statement.
Last September, the company announced a $1.8 billion investment to expand production at two manufacturing sites, including its Limerick biopharmaceutical facility, to produce medicines for Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and obesity.
Ireland is an international home of about a dozen other Hoosier companies, including the Cook Group, Cummins, Elanco, Fort Wayne Metals and Co. and Zimmer Biomet. Ireland and Indianapolis have also become some of the fastest-growing markets for sports technology. Last year, Ireland-based startup Wiistream announced plans to establish its U.S. headquarters in Indianapolis.
And a bill that just passed the Indiana General Assembly aims to further develop the economic relationship. Rep. Tim O’Brien, R-Evansville, authored legislation that will create an Indiana-Ireland trade commission to strengthen economic ties and exchange ideas on policy, economic development and infrastructure.
“The new nonstop flight from Indianapolis-to-Ireland will make it easier to strengthen ties, foster business collaboration and open new avenues for economic partnership between Indiana and Ireland,” O’Brien said in a written statement.
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I thought the fares were expected to be around $400 when the announcement was made last year?
When these flights were first announced in October, we reported that “economy roundtrip fares for the route are expected to cost about $800, a savings over most indirect flights from Indianapolis to Dublin, which usually cost more than $1,000.” It’s possible the $400 figure you saw might have been referring to a one-way ticket.
These subsidies will make sure the potholes are filled, the Colts win, and all the children are above average.
I’m flying on May 7th! So pleased to have a direct connect again. Come on Delta, bring back the Indy-Paris flight. Loved that!
John L., I think you mean “Come on Indy Airport, bribe Delta to bring back the Indy-Paris flight.”