New Facility Aimed to be Complete by September 2025

The Federal Aviation Administration recently designated $1.5 million to Purdue University Airport to support the construction of its new and improved terminal building. The nearly $12 million project, named after famous aviator and past Purdue employee Amelia Earhart, broke ground in May.

The award can partially be attributed to the efforts of state leadership, including Indiana Governor Eric Holcom, Senator Todd Young, Senator Mike Braun, and Representative Jim Baird. It is also linked to the condition of the airport’s existing terminal building, which was built in 1943 and hasn’t been renovated in 40 years.

The approximately 9,400-square-foot facility will be located just west of the existing terminal. It will contain ticketing, passenger screening, baggage claim, waiting rooms, bathrooms, and everything else needed to keep up with TSA, FAA, and Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

The University broke ground on its Earhart Terminal and celebrated the revival of commercial air services on May 14. The event featured speeches from Purdue University leadership and local government officials, such as former Governor Mitch Daniels, along with an inaugural flight. Construction is now well underway and is slated to be finished by next September.

Commercial air service is currently being offered at the field under an agreement with Surf Air Mobility subsidiary Southern Airways Express. The contract, finalized in December 2023, maintains 24 weekly round-trip flights between Purdue Airport (LAF) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). The trips are operated on a Southern Cessna Grand Caravan turboprop, which can transport nine passengers and two pilots at a time.

The field went over two decades without commercial airline services, though institution officials have been planning its return since 2017. They were finally able to kick off the $11.8 million project after receiving sufficient funds from Indiana’s READI program and Surf Air Mobility.

FMI: www.purdue.edu