Airport Welcomes Commercial Flights Amid the Building’s Official Opening

Indiana’s Purdue University Airport has officially re-entered the world of commercial air travel by cutting the ribbon on its new Earhart Terminal and beginning SkyWest-operated United Express flights. The 10,000-square-foot facility marks a major upgrade from the original building, which was constructed in 1943 and converted to a terminal in the late 70’s.

That old structure is still standing strong, now housing the aviation library and administration. With the new terminal’s debut, however, the original will be sitting out of passenger operations from here on out.

Alongside the terminal’s ribbon-cutting ceremony was the start of United Express flights, operated by SkyWest to Chicago O’Hare. This service, combined with a recent agreement with Southern Airways Express for trips to O’Hare on nine-seat Cessnas, marks the first time in more than two decades that Purdue has had regular commercial service. It’s been a long time coming, with the proposal dating back to 2017 and made a reality through state funding.

“Thanks to the partnerships with leaders of our state and local community, Purdue University Airport now has a new commercial passenger service terminal honoring the Boilermaker legacy of Amelia Earhart,” commented Purdue President Mung Chiang. “The new aircraft and service are yet another reflection of the tremendous economic growth in Greater Lafayette today and will further accelerate the creation of jobs, talent and innovation along America’s Hard Tech Corridor.”

The name is no coincidence: Amelia Earhart was a career counselor at Purdue in the 1930s and flew out of the airport when it became the first university-owned airport in the US. The terminal honors that connection while finally bringing Purdue’s passenger facilities up to modern standards: TSA screening, comfortable seating, and even a small marketplace made the cut.

Inside the Earhart Terminal is brand-new TSA equipment and Purdue branding everywhere (no one’s going to forget whose airport this is). The facility is just a little proud of itself, and rightfully so; after more than twenty years, Purdue’s back on the commercial map.

FMI: www.purdue.edu/airport/