South Bend, IN. – Local officials will use golden hammers and nails to celebrate the construction commencement of the Federal Inspection Station (FIS) and General Aviation Facility (GAF) at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 12, 2015 at South Bend International Airport (SBN). The ceremony will take place inside the terminal just east of the Delta ticket counter.
Ziolkowski Construction, Inc. will complete the $9.02 million project. The FIS and GAF will house U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers allowing for nonstop international commercial and corporate/private aircraft to make SBN the first stop when arriving into the United States.
“This event signifies an important step in the evolution of SBN from its roots as Bendix Field to an International Airport,” said Mike Daigle, SBN’s executive director. “The economic impact of having an international airport in our community is tremendous. This is a win for business, leisure travelers and our community as a whole.”
The project is anticipated to be complete in fall 2016. SBN officials are continuing to work with carriers to provide international service. Weekly service to Cancun will most likely be the first leisure destination served. SBN received its international designation from U.S. Customs and Border Protection in early 2014.
About South Bend International Airport
South Bend International Airport’s three air carriers provide nonstop flights to ten cities: Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Fort Myers/Punta Gorda, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, New York City/Newark, Orlando/Sanford, Phoenix/Mesa, and Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg with connections world-wide. South Bend International’s multi-modal terminal serves over one million air, rail and bus passengers each year. According to the 2012 Economic Impact Report from the Aviation Authority of Indiana, South Bend International’s total annual economic impact on South Bend and surrounding communities was in excess of $1.7 billion.
For additional information, please refer to www.FlySBN.com or get social with SBN on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FlySBN), Twitter (@SBNairport) or Instagram (@SBNairport) to stay informed about the airport and the carriers that serve the Michiana region.
