South Bend International Airport

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South Bend International Airport
SBN International Logo 2Color-horz-min.png
South-bend-regional-airport-front.jpg
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerSt. Joseph County Airport Authority
Serves South Bend, Indiana; Elkhart, Indiana; Niles, Michigan; St. Joseph, Michigan
Time zone Eastern Standard Time (CST) (−05:00)
  Summer (DST) Eastern Daylight Time (CDT) (−04:00)
Elevation  AMSL 799 ft / 244 m
Coordinates 41°42′30″N086°19′02″W / 41.70833°N 86.31722°W / 41.70833; -86.31722
Website www.FlySBN.com
Maps
SBN diagram.pdf
FAA airport diagram
South Bend International Airport
Runways
Direction LengthSurface
ftm
9L/27R4,3001,311Asphalt
9R/27L8,4142,565Asphalt
18/367,1002,164Asphalt
Statistics
'24 Enplanements EOY451,184 Increase2.svg 9.6%
'25 Enplanements MAY YTD224,946 Increase2.svg 28%
'24 Air cargo (lbs)19.2M Decrease2.svg 3%
'24 FAA ATCT Ops44,508 Decrease2.svg
'24 FAA TRACON Ops165,345 Increase2.svg 10%
'24 Total FAA ATC Ops209,853 Increase2.svg 8.1%
'24 International GAF Ops86 Decrease2.svg 28%
Fixed wing based aircraft64
Source: South Bend Airport website [1] and FAA [2]

South Bend International Airport( IATA : SBN, ICAO : KSBN, FAA LID : SBN) [3] is a commercial and freight airport located three miles northwest of downtown South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States. [2] It is the state's second busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic after Indianapolis International Airport.

Contents

The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2015–2019 called it a primary commercial service facility. [4]

Federal Aviation Administration and St. Joseph County Airport Authority records show the airport had 337,140 passenger enplanements in 2020 with an estimated total air passenger volume of over 680,000. It is owned by the St. Joseph County Airport Authority. Passengers can make connections to local public transportation services such as the South Shore Line trains to Millennium Station in Chicago and the local TRANSPO bus route #4 which travels along Lincoln Way.

History

In the early days, South Bend's main airport was Cadet Field in present-day Granger. Vincent Hugo Bendix, founder of Bendix Aviation, bought land northwest of South Bend in 1929 to provide air service closer to the city. Bendix Municipal Airport opened in 1933. [5] [n 1]

Bendix Airport was later called St. Joseph County Airport, then Michiana Regional Transportation Center. The airport was renamed South Bend Regional Airport on January 1, 2000, later South Bend International Airport on April 23, 2014, to help identify the airport, many travelers not knowing the meaning of Michiana (taken from "Michigan" and "Indiana"). [8] [9]

The April 1957 OAG shows 10 weekday departures on North Central, 9 on United, 6 on Lake Central and 3 on TWA. North Central Airlines merged with Southern Airways on July 1, 1979, commencing operations with Republic from South Bend.

Until the 1980s the airport had four runways; in the 1950s runway 9 was 5000 ft, runways 6 (now taxiway A-3) and 12 (now taxiway A-4) were 4000 ft and the 3059-ft runway 18 connected the west ends of runways 6 and 12. In 1963-65 runway 9 was extended to 6000 ft. In January 1967 SBN got its first scheduled jets, United Caravelles flying Chicago O'Hare-South Bend-Fort Wayne-Newark and back.

On April 23, 2014, the St. Joseph County Airport Authority announced the airport was changing its name from South Bend Regional Airport to South Bend International Airport. The Airport Authority has had conversations with two airlines interested in providing service to Mexico and the Bahamas and indicated that it was looking at service to Toronto, Ireland and Europe. As part of the change, the airport will begin a $3 million (USD) project to construct a general aviation facility and a border customs area, to be financed through federal, state and airport funds. [10] [11] [12]

On September 29, 2023 the U.S. Department Of Transportation awarded 20 grants under the Small Community Air Service Development Program (“Small Community Program” or “SCASDP”) benefitting communities in 16 States to assist with the implementation of the air service initiatives proposed in their grant applications. Of these grants, South Bend was awarded $750,000 to expand its route network to the West Coast (Los Angeles or San Francisco) or expand routes to Washington DC. [13]

Administration

The airport is governed by the St. Joseph County Airport Authority, which is a municipality in the State of Indiana. Its four bipartisan board members are appointed by the St. Joseph County Commissioners. The Airport Authority is directed by Mike Daigle who is an accredited airport executive. Board members include Thomas S. Botkin, Abraham Marcus, David R. Sage and James V. Wyllie. The Airport Authority employs approximately 60 staff members.

The mission of the St. Joseph County Airport Authority as defined is "to maximize the safety, service, efficiency and effectiveness of South Bend Airport for the traveling public, and to promote the value of the airport to the community." [14]

Facilities

The airport covers 2,200 acres (890 ha) at an elevation of 799 feet (244 m). It has three asphalt runways: 9L/27R is 4,300 by 75 feet (1,311 by 23 m); 9R/27L is 8,414 by 150 feet (2,565 by 46 m); 18/36 is 7,100 by 150 feet (2,164 by 46 m). [2] [15]

The terminal, built in 1981 and designed by HOK and Cole Associates [16] and expanded in 2011 by Ken Herceg & Parpandy Associates, has one nine-gate concourse. The airfield saw expansive geometry changes beginning in 2020 with the re-alignment of Taxiway Bravo separate from the main terminal apron. Construction is still ongoing. Modifications taking place in 2024 also refurbished an existing gate, bringing its total gates to 9. This addition meant that the airport has eight jetways for aircraft to use (Gates 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,& 9). Amenities include cafes and restaurants, pet relief area, a concession area/lounge, a gift shop, a children's play area, a business center, and free Wi-Fi available throughout the terminal. [17]

Despite being partially obstructed by the new concourse, the in-terminal viewing area remains open and offers live air traffic control transmissions from South Bend Air Traffic Control Tower/TRACON as well as a small airport-focused museum. The viewing area is located on the second level of the terminal's atrium adjacent to US Customs.

The airport is one of the few multi-modal transportation facilities in America that provide air, interstate bus and interstate rail service at one terminal. The St. Joseph County Airport Authority claims the airport was the first truly multi-modal airport in the country. As of 2019, interstate bus services have been moved to the downtown South Bend bus station.

June 2017 brought the grand opening of SBN's International General Aviation Facility (GAF) which cleared nearly 60 international aircraft in its first partial year of operation. On July 16, 2019, a Boeing 747 chartered by the Liverpool Soccer Club landed at South Bend from Manchester, England. This flight marked the opening of the Federal Inspection Station (FIS). On the same day, US Customs and Border Patrol announced South Bend Airport would be the state's first Global Entry Enrollment Center.

The airport is a maintenance base for regional carrier SkyWest Airlines.

Operations

Within Indiana, the airport is second in passenger enplanements (417,929) after Indianapolis International (4,375,317). South Bend International overtook Fort Wayne International in 2019 (397,938) to reclaim second place. [18] The airport is in second place behind Indianapolis in cargo operations and third in the state for overall take-offs and landings. Due to South Bend's proximity to Chicago, South Bend air traffic controllers work closely with Chicago Center and Chicago Approach Control to sequence aircraft into and out of Chicago's terminal airspace. These efforts make South Bend's Tower/TRACON the second busiest terminal air traffic facility in the state and one of the busiest in the region.

In 2019 the airport handled 47,756 aircraft operations, averaging 130 per day. The TRACON handled over 150,000 operations in 2019.

According to the 2007 Economic Impact Report from the Aviation Authority of Indiana, the airport's annual economic impact on South Bend and surrounding communities was in excess of $433.7 million. SBN's annual contribution to the Indiana economy is estimated at more than $1.4 billion. [19]

Ground transportation

Rail

A South Shore Line train at the South Bend Airport station 2017-08-23 19.09.21 HDR (36769934906).jpg
A South Shore Line train at the South Bend Airport station

The South Shore Line commuter rail runs from South Bend Airport station to Millennium Station in Chicago, with express services taking 1 hour and 55 minutes. [20]

There is discussion of relocating the station either to a different side of the airport, or to the city's downtown.

Bus

South Bend Transpo bus route 4 serves the airport. [21]

Airline shuttle buses

Aiga bus trans.svg OperatorDestinationsRefs
American Airlines (operated by Landline) Chicago–O'Hare (begins October 6, 2025) [22] [23]

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

AirlinesDestinations
Allegiant Air Fort Lauderdale, [24] Knoxville, [25] Las Vegas, Orlando/Sanford, Phoenix/Mesa, Punta Gorda (FL), St. Petersburg/Clearwater
Seasonal: Sarasota [26]
American Eagle Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth
Breeze Airways Fort Myers, [27] Orlando, [27] Washington–Dulles [28]
Delta Connection Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul
United Express Chicago–O'Hare, Washington–Dulles [29]

Cargo

AirlinesDestinations
FedEx Express Fort Wayne, Memphis
FedEx Feeder Indianapolis
UPS Airlines Fort Wayne

Statistics

Top 10 domestic destinations
(June 2024 – May 2025)
[30]
RankAirportPassengersAirlines
1 Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois 87,610United
2 Charlotte, North Carolina 73,440American
3 Atlanta, Georgia 66,360Delta
4 Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas 56,700American
5 Punta Gorda/Fort Myers, Florida 33,010Allegiant
6 Orlando–Sanford, Florida 31,260Allegiant
7 Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota 23,100Delta
8 Detroit, Michigan 21,050Delta
9 St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Florida 19,600Allegiant
10 Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona 18,590Allegiant
Carrier Shares for June 2024 – May 2025 [30]
Carrier  Passengers (arriving and departing)
Skywest
503,000(51.17%)
Allegiant
280,000(28.45%)
PSA Airlines
147,000(14.90%)
Breeze
23,340(2.37%)
Republic
17,030(1.73%)
Other
13,440(1.37%)
Annual passenger enplanements at SBN, 2000 – 2023 [31]
YearPassengersYearPassengers
2000432,4392011305,386
2001375,8172012299,592
2002409,3192013328,992
2003404,6072014311,158
2004397,5652015315,313
2005349,8472016328,897
2006378,9092017305,491
2007398,5002018368,377
2008357,1682019417,929
2009318,9742020209,214
2010317,0962021341,343
2022363,078
2023411,377

Incidents

See also

Notes

  1. The airport was also known as Bendix Field. [6] [7]

References

  1. 2024 Composite Statistic Chart (PDF), St. Joseph County Airport Authority, retrieved 5 July 2016[ permanent dead link ]
  2. 1 2 3 South Bend International Airport Master Record, FAA data republished by GCR Inc., archived from the original on 7 August 2016, retrieved 5 July 2016
  3. "IATA Airport Code Search (SBN: South Bend)". International Air Transport Association . Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  4. "2011–2015 NPIAS Report, Appendix A" (PDF, 2.03 MB). Federal Aviation Administration. 4 October 2010.
  5. "A Look Back: Vincent Bendix was the man behind the start of airport in South Bend". South Bend Tribune . 21 May 2018. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  6. "Behind the Name: Bendix Left Big Mark". South Bend Tribune. 3 August 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
  7. Stopczynski, Kelly (6 February 2012). "Granger Neighborhood Was Original South Bend Regional Airport". WSBT-TV. Archived from the original on 10 December 2013.
  8. "Airport Will Get New Name Again". South Bend Tribune. 1 December 1999. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  9. Falda, Wayne (2 January 2000). "Flight into a New Era". South Bend Tribune. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  10. "South Bend Airport Becomes South Bend International" (Press release). St. Joseph County Airport Authority. 23 April 2014. Archived from the original on 24 April 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  11. Culp, Alice; Gray, Amanda (24 April 2014). "South Bend Airport Adds 'International' to Name". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  12. Vivian, Krystal (23 April 2014). "South Bend's airport could soon offer international flights to Bahamas, Mexico". The Elkhart Truth . Archived from the original on 13 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  13. "U.S. Department of Transportation" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 October 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  14. Mission, St. Joseph County Airport Authority, retrieved 16 July 2015
  15. "SBN airport data at skyvector.com". skyvector.com. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  16. Michiana Regional Airport: Multi-modal Airport Terminal Concept for St. Joseph County Airport Authority. South Bend: St. Joseph County Airport Authority. 1975.
  17. "Amenities at South Bend International Airport". St. Joseph County Airport Authority. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  18. 2014 Enplanements at All Commercial Service Airports (by Rank) (PDF, 1.6 MB), Federal Aviation Administration
  19. Ottinger, Matt. "Non-Stop Party" (PDF). Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original (PDF, 298 KB) on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  20. Allen, Kevin (3 February 2015). "Chicago express a major step for South Shore". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  21. "route 4 map side" (PDF). Transpo. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
  22. "American Airlines Expands Regional Connectivity with New Motorcoach Service from Rockford and South Bend to Chicago O'Hare: You Need to Know - Travel And Tour World". 21 July 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  23. Trip connections with Landline
  24. "Allegiant Announces Five New Routes with One-Way Fares as Low as $39*". Street Insider. 21 May 2025.
  25. "Allegiant Announces Ten New Routes with One-Way Fares as Low as $45".
  26. "Allegiant Airlines to offer nonstop flights from South Bend to Sarasota". 16 News Now. 19 August 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  27. 1 2 "Breeze Airways adds nonstop routes to Florida from South Bend". Inside Indiana Business. 7 August 2024.
  28. "Breeze Adds 4 New Routes From Washington Dulles". AirlineGeeks. 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  29. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 October 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  30. 1 2 "South Bend, IN: South Bend Airport (SBN)". Bureau of Transportation Statistics . Retrieved 15 June 2023.
  31. "Passenger Boarding (Enplanement) and All-Cargo Data for U.S. Airports". Federal Aviation Administration . Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  32. "Incident". www.ntsb.gov. July 1995. Archived from the original on 28 November 2005. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  33. NTSB Identification: CEN11FA267, National Transportation Safety Board
  34. NTSB Identification: CEN13FA196, National Transportation Safety Board
  35. "Indiana plane crash: Private jet plunges into houses". BBC News. 18 March 2013.
  36. "N9368Y". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  37. "UPDATE: Plane makes emergency landing at SB airport". WNDU. 25 May 2018.
  38. "SkyWest Airlines flight makes emergency landing in South Bend". WNDW. NBC News. 15 May 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.