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Jill Sheridan WFYI
Jill Sheridan/WFYIIndianapolis International Airport is about to welcome the highest number of travelers it has seen since the pandemic hit last spring.
In the coming weeks, the airport is expecting a surge of people as the entire NCAA Division I Men's Basketball tournament and spring break collide. On Saturday alone, the airport is expecting an estimated 13,000 travelers.
It’s been a year since most people have been on a plane. Airport Executive Director Mario Rodriguez said travelers should expect the same COVID-19 safety measures they’ve become accustomed to elsewhere.
“Things have changed and things will continue to change,” Rodriguez said.
Travelers should adhere to continued mask mandates and distancing. The airport has added plexiglass, hand sanitizer and hired additional staff to disinfect surfaces. There are also changes at security to minimize contact.
Rodriguez says IND is one of the safest airports in the country.
“But when it comes to cleanliness,” Rodriguez said, “this is hospital grade clean.”
The spike in air travel is expected to level off. Rodriguez said that they are seeing an increase in leisure travel in general as more people become vaccinated and want to start traveling again.
“We will travel and we will conduct business and everything will come online, adjusted for COVID,” he said.
Currently, the airport is running at about 50 percent of usual traffic.
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