Indy airport to offer seasonal nonstop flights to San Diego

Southwest Airlines on Thursday said it will offer nonstop daily flights between Indianapolis and San Diego from June 4 to Aug. 14.

The Indianapolis Airport Authority, which has been trying to beef up the number of nonstop flights from Indy, said the plans are “big news” for Indianapolis business and leisure travelers.

The San Diego flights last for less than six weeks, but the IAA called the announcement a “great tee-up for what could be ahead,” and said more news about nonstop flights to the western United States “could be just days away.”

IAA Executive Director Mario Rodriguez said San Diego was the “top unserved market” for Indianapolis International Airport.

“San Diego is heavy with business opportunity, particularly in the tech sector, and it’s a favorite conference destination and a strong leisure hold in southern California,” Rodriguez said in a written statement.

Right now, the only flight from Indianapolis to Southern California is to Los Angeles.

Indianapolis also reaches the West Coast through a nonstop flight to San Francisco via United Airlines. And, starting in May, Alaska Airlines will begin offering nonstop service to Seattle-Tacoma.

“While today’s announcement is for seasonal daily nonstop Southwest flights to San Diego, the IAA sees it as an important addition in covering massive ground on the West Coast,” the authority said.

According to the IAA, Southwest has beefed up its market position in Indianapolis dramatically in recent years, becoming the No. 1 carrier in terms of flight capacity.

“Southwest Airlines’ investment in the Indianapolis market is evident by the fact it offered 70 percent more seats flying out of the Indy airport in 2016 than in 2014,” the authority said.

Southwest said the Indianapolis-to-San Diego flights can be booked through Jan. 26.

The airline also said it would be adding more nonstop flights between Indianapolis and New York City, via Newark, starting June 4.