IND airport feels impact of Midwest blizzard

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The winter storm pounding the Midwest Sunday forced hundreds of flights to be canceled across the country, including in Indianapolis.

The storm couldn’t have hit at a worse time, as Sunday is the busiest day of the Thanksgiving travel weekend.

More than 17,500 people were expected to go through Indianapolis International Airport on Sunday. 

That’s 23 percent higher than the normal crowds for the airport. 

All eyes inside Indianapolis International Airport were on Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. Airport officials told News 8 Indianapolis is the diversion airport for Chicago, which is expected to be hit hard by the storm. Flights grounded at O’Hare could be sent to Indianapolis.

Dozens of flights were delayed and many canceled in Indy, leaving some passengers stranded.

“So far, I’m only delayed by 20 minutes,” said passenger Alfred Nardine. “That gets pushed back all the time, you know. Just because we are 30 minutes starting off, we’re going to be an hour-and-a-half maybe. But at least it’s a direct, and I don’t have to connect through Minneapolis.”

“We just got here and we heard all these flights are delayed, and mine hasn’t been delayed yet,” said passenger Ali Petriko. “But I looked at the screen and a bunch going to Dallas also have been delayed. So I’m scared mine is going to be delayed next.” 

The delays won’t stop with Sunday evening, as many airports impacted by the storm will still be getting snow into Monday morning. 

To track your flight from Indianapolis International Airport, click here.