Indianapolis Lands Commercial Aviation Conference For 2020

Indianapolis will host a major aviation conference next year.

Gov. Eric Holcomb and Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett joined other state and local officials at Indianapolis International Airport Thursday to announce the Routes Americas conference will come to the city Feb. 3-5, 2020.

The annual event, focused on aviation route development, draws network planners, airports and tourism authorities to discuss increased air service across North and South America.

Eight hundred delegates representing 80 airlines, 300 airports and 50 tourism authorities are expected to attend the conference.

Mario Rodriguez, executive director of Indianapolis Airport Authority, says hosting Routes Americas is an opportunity for Indianapolis to make an impression on industry leaders as they consider new markets and connections.

"Essentially, Routes is like a business incubator for the aviation industry," Rodriguez says. "Airlines are going to discover they can be profitable here in Indy, and a lot of people are going to benefit from what that delivers in new flights, new airlines and new opportunities far beyond what we've achieved to date."

Conference organizers say cities usually see increased connectivity following the event, with host airport networks growing about 9 percent after three years. 

Indianapolis is just the third U.S. city to host Routes Americas. Quebec City, Canada will host the 2019 event next month.