10/05/2026
✈️ Want a new nonstop flight from FWA? Here’s the part most people don’t know: FWA can’t just decide to add one.
BUT we can work to convince an airline to add one - and you play a MUCH bigger role in that than you probably realize. Want to learn how FWA works to bring new air service to our community? Take a look below ⬇️
Hi! I’m Angie Dillon, FWA’s new Air Service & Marketing Manager, and one of the biggest parts of my job is working with airlines to bring more flights, airlines, better connections and new destinations to northeast Indiana.
So, I thought we’d start with a little Air Service 101. ✈️
✈️ Q: Who decides where FWA flies?
A: The airlines do. Airports don’t choose their routes. We identify opportunities, meet with airlines, pitch new service, provide data and make the case for Fort Wayne - but ultimately, the airline decides where to put its aircraft.
And there’s a lot of competition. We’re not just asking an airline for a plane. We’re competing against other airports and cities across the country that want that same plane.
✈️ Q: Who decides how often a flight operates, what size plane is used and how much the ticket costs?
A: The airline. Airlines determine schedules, frequency, aircraft size and fares based on demand, operating costs, aircraft availability, competition, connecting opportunities and whether they believe the route can be profitable.
So when someone asks, “Why doesn’t FWA just add a flight to _____?” - believe me, if it were that easy, we would! 😉
✈️ Q: So how DO we convince an airline to add a route?
A: DATA. Lots and lots of data. 📊 One of the terms you’ll hear in the air service world is PDEW - Passengers Daily Each Way.
That’s basically airline-speak for: How many people from our market are already traveling to a particular destination every day?
We study where northeast Indiana travelers are going, which airports they’re connecting through, which airlines they’re using, how often they’re traveling, what they’re paying and much more.
We also look closely at business travel.
Leisure travel is absolutely important, but you might take one vacation to a particular destination this year and somewhere completely different next year. A business traveler may make the same trip 10, 20 or more times a year. That consistent, repeat demand can be especially valuable when trying to support year-round service.
Then there’s the cost of actually operating the flight.
A 76-seat regional jet and a 180-seat aircraft have very different economics. Fuel, crews, aircraft availability, the number of seats an airline expects to fill, expected fares and connecting passengers all factor into the decision.
In other words, wanting a route isn’t enough. We have to prove people will use it AND that it can be profitable for the airline.
✈️ Q: So what can YOU do to help FWA get a new route? This is the BIG one. 👇
A: Use FWA whenever you can. If there’s a destination or connecting hub you want to see from Fort Wayne someday, start your trip at FWA today.
Maybe you want a nonstop that we don’t currently have. If you’re flying from FWA and connecting to reach that destination, you’re creating the data that helps us prove the demand exists. Today’s connection could help build tomorrow’s nonstop!
Will flying from another airport occasionally look cheaper? Absolutely.
But before making the drive, look beyond just the airfare. Add the gas, parking, mileage, extra travel time and - most importantly - what your time is worth. Sometimes FWA may cost more. Sometimes it won’t. But every passenger who chooses to start their trip at FWA helps strengthen the numbers we take to the airlines.
There’s a BIG difference between going to an airline and saying:
“People in Fort Wayne tell us they want this flight.” …and being able to say:
“Here are the numbers showing you how many people from our region are already traveling there.”
That’s the case we want to make.
More passengers using FWA → stronger data → stronger airline pitches → more opportunities for additional flights and new routes.
✈️ Q: Have a destination you want us to pursue?
A: We want to hear about it!
We now have a FWA Travel Survey form on our website where you can tell us about your travel habits and where you’d like to fly from FWA. Your requests help us understand what our community wants - and where we should be digging deeper into the data. Fill it out here ➡️ fwairport.com/air-service-development
And that brings me back to my new role. 👋
As FWA’s Air Service & Marketing Manager, I’ll be studying our market, analyzing travel patterns, meeting with airlines and making the strongest case I can for the flights and connections northeast Indiana wants and needs.
I’ll keep making the pitch. You keep giving me the numbers to back it up. Now I want to hear from you: If you could add ONE new nonstop destination or connecting hub from FWA, where would you send us?
Comment below! 👇
With 13 non-stop destinations and connections worldwide, Fort Wayne International Airport truly can get you anywhere in the world you need to go.
