A new regional domestic airline has landed at Indianapolis International Airport.
Representatives for the state and the Indianapolis airport said Tennessee-based Contour Airlines will begin operations in Indianapolis on June 10 with three domestic routes including, Nashville, St. Louis and Pittsburgh. The announcement was made Feb. 5 during Routes Americas, an international aviation event taking place in Indianapolis, which is attended by airline industry decision makers.
“Contour Airlines landing in Indiana is a huge win for the Hoosier state, and we’re extremely grateful that Contour is providing more career opportunities for Hoosiers,” said Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb.
Contour, which launched in 2016, said it will bring 55 new jobs to Indiana by the end of 2023. The company said it will buy additional ERJ-135/145 aircraft and will invest more resources in Indianapolis over the next few years, which will initially house two regional jets.
“Indiana is a natural fit for Contour Airline's growth,” said Matt Chaifetz, CEO of Contour. “We look forward to employing Hoosiers and bringing Indy travelers nonstop service to key business and leisure markets.”
Contour employs about 380 people across the U.S. It plans to begin hiring pilots, flight attendants, customer service agents, mechanics and ground personnel to support its Indiana operations.
Contour’s expansion into Indiana expands the company’s service to 20 routes, serving 18 cities in 10 states. The company said Indianapolis will become the airline’s second focus city or a destination from which it operates multiple nonstop routes.
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. offered the company assorted incentives including up to $550,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company’s job creation plans. The incentives are performance-based, meaning the company is eligible to claim incentives once Hoosiers are hired.
