Indiana American Water and the American Water Charitable Foundation Provided Nearly $700,000 in Statewide Support to Communities in 2025

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GREENWOOD, IND – (April 13, 2026) – Indiana American Water announced its charitable giving for 2025. Last year, the company provided nearly $216,00 through grants, general charitable contributions and programming support to over 100 organizations across the Hoosier State. When combined with the $460,000 provided by the American Water Charitable Foundation, and volunteer hours of service the total amount of support increases to $697,000.

“At Indiana American Water, our work extends beyond providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to our customers,’ said Indiana American Water President Barry Suits. “Together with the American Water Charitable Foundation, we’re committed to supporting organizations that make our communities a better place to live and operate.”

As part of our community support, Indiana American Water employees engaged in philanthropy, raising over $64,000 and volunteered to serve local nonprofit organizations through the Foundation’s Employee Volunteer and Matching Gift Program.

“The American Water Charitable Foundation is proud to partner with eligible nonprofit partners to support impactful initiatives and projects across Indiana,” said Carrie Williams, President, American Water Charitable Foundation. “Our charitable focus to Keep Communities Flowing empowers our employees to get involved and our communities to learn how every drop counts.”

The American Water Charitable Foundation’s 2025 Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program focuses on three pillars of giving: Water, People, and Communities. Since 2012, the Foundation has invested more than $25 million in funding through grants and matching gifts to support eligible organizations in communities served by American Water.  

To learn more about Indiana American Water’s community involvement, read the company’s 2025 Community Impact Report.

About Indiana American Water
Indiana American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing safe, clean, reliable, and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 1.5 million people.

For more information, visit amwater.com/inaw and join Indiana American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

About the American Water Charitable Foundation
The American Water Charitable Foundation, a philanthropic non-profit organization established by American Water (NYSE: AWK), focuses on three pillars of giving: Water, People, and Communities. Since 2012, the Foundation has invested more than $25 million in funding through grants and matching gifts to support eligible organizations in communities served by American Water. The Foundation is funded by American Water shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. For more information, visit amwater.com/awcf.

Photo (attached) Cutline:

The Friends of Charlestown State Park celebrate the announcement of a $50,000 STEM grant from the American Water Charitable Foundation last July, which will be used to create an educational exhibit with a large, former deep water well along the Ohio River.  The new exhibit is expected to open later this year.  Photo Credit: Alan Petersime Photography

Media Contact:
Joel Reuter
External Affairs Manager
Indiana American Water
joel.reuter@amwater.com
(317) 885-2434 

Significant Flight Additions at Louisville Muhammad AliInternational Airport for Derby 152

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More flights, record-setting crowds expected for airport’s busiest time

Louisville, KY (April 13, 2026) – The airlines are ramping up service at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) ahead of this year’s Kentucky Derby, adding more flights to accommodate the surge of race fans expected for the fastest two minutes in sports. This year will see the addition of service from 24 routes at SDF spanning from the West Coast to the East Coast and including more flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City. Plus, nonstop service to six new markets
were added just for Derby such as Salt Lake City, Kansas City, Austin and Santa Ana.


“Derby is consistently the busiest time of year at SDF, and preparations are underway for what we expect will be another strong influx of visitors,” said Dan Mann, Executive Director of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, which owns and operates Louisville’s airport. “With five of our eight airline partners adding significant service, we anticipate record-setting passenger volumes passing through our terminal while the SDF team remains focused on delivering a smooth and positive travel experience for
our guests.”


American Airlines added the most flights for Derby 152 with 13 markets they do not currently fly at SDF including New York City-JFK, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville and West Palm Beach. Delta Air Lines expanded their presence with five markets including Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Austin and Raleigh-Durham. Service from Los Angeles was also added by both Southwest and United Airlines as part of their increased airlift. Southwest will also be flying to Kansas City and Austin while United will also offer
flights to San Francisco.


From Wednesday, April 29 through Friday, May 1, upwards of 35,000 arriving passengers are expected to make their way to Louisville for the 152nd running of the roses. Thursday, April 30 will be the busiest day for arrivals with nearly 16,500 seats scheduled by the airlines.


Sunday, May 3 will once again be SDF’s single busiest day of the year – more than doubling its daily average as nearly 20,000 people are expected to depart Louisville, bidding farewell to the city following their Kentucky Derby experience. Overall, this year is up 13% in total number of departures compared to 2025.


“We know it’s going to be a very busy several days at the airport as we roll out the redcarpet for visitors,” added Mann. “I’m confident this year’s Derby will be another win for our airport thanks to the strong team at SDF who work closely with our airline partners, TSA, the FAA’s air traffic control tower, our in-terminal concessionaires and many others to make this significant increase a seamless experience for travelers.”


Markets added to SDF in 2026 for the Kentucky Derby include:

American Airlines
Austin (AUS)
New York-LaGuardia (LGA)
Houston-George Bush (IAH)
Santa Ana, CA (SNA)
Jacksonville (JAX)
Phoenix (PHX)
Las Vegas (LAS)
Pittsburgh (PIT)
Los Angeles (LAX)
Raleigh/Durham (RDU)
New Orleans (MSY)
West Palm Beach (PBI)
New York-JFK (JFK)

Delta Air Lines
Austin (AUS)
Raleigh/Durham (RDU)
Los Angeles (LAX)
Salt Lake City (SLC)
New York-JFK (JFK)

Southwest Airlines
Austin (AUS)
Los Angeles (LAX)
Kansas City (MCI)

Spirit Airlines
Newark (EWR)

United Airlines
Los Angeles (LAX)
San Francisco (SFO)

 

About Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF)
Owned and operated by the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, the Louisville Muhammad Ali
International Airport (SDF) is the state’s premier airport, serving more Kentuckians annually than
any other airport in the Commonwealth. Eight commercial passenger airlines offer nonstop service
to more than 40 nonstop destinations from Louisville. SDF is home to UPS Worldport, moving
millions of tons of products each year, making it the no. 1 busiest cargo airport in North America and
Top 5 in the world. Aviation is an economic powerhouse for the region that generates $12.8 billion in
economic impact every year. One in 8 jobs is generated by SDF and Bowman Field and their
aviation partners. Visit www.FlyLouisville.com to learn more.

Contact: Natalie Chaudoin For Immediate Release
(502) 363-8507 office
(502) 475-8084 cell
Natalie.Chaudoin@FlyLouisville.com

Expect Near-Record Numbers for Spring Break at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

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Louisville, KY (March 30, 2026) – Spring Break travel is here and near-record numbers are expected at the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF). Overall scheduled capacity by the airlines is up 5% compared to last year with more than 35,000 travelers expected from Thursday, April 2 through Sunday, April 5.


“Spring Break is a busy time for SDF,” said Dan Mann, Executive Director for the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, which owns and operates Louisville’s airport. “Our airport is ready to welcome the increase in travelers as they head to their favorite vacation spots. We remain in close coordination with the airlines and our terminal partners, including TSA, to ensure passengers have a smooth experience at SDF.”


The busiest day for Spring Break travel will be Sunday, April 5 with more than 9,300 scheduled departing seats, closely followed by Thursday, April 2 with 9,000-plus outbound seats. Florida leads the region as the most popular destination for Spring Breakers at SDF including growth in flights to Fort Myers, Orlando and St. Petersburg/Clearwater. Travelers heading to Boston, Chicago-O’Hare and Raleigh/Durham have also increased for Spring Break this year.


With the higher-than-normal passenger volume expected for Spring Break, passengers are encouraged to arrive 2 to 2½ hours before their scheduled departure time. For early morning departures before 8:30 a.m., arriving 2½ hours in advance is strongly encouraged. Most flights board the aircraft 30 to 40 minutes before the posted departure time. TSA staffing continues to remain consistent with no impacts on passenger screening.


Parking is only $5 per day in the Express Shuttle Lot with registration at least four hours prior to their arrival. Plus, shuttle lot users can now take advantage of real-time tracking to see the exact location of the pick-up shuttles by simply scanning the QR code at the designated pick-up areas. Other self-park lots range from $8 to $20 per day with valet services at $35 per day. For information on all parking options, visit SDFPark.com.


Travelers are also encouraged to be mindful that temporary intermittent parking lot
closures are possible at SDF during heavy travel periods.


The positive momentum is continuing at SDF as overall passenger traffic is up 5% for the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2025. Mirroring the uptick for Spring Break, there is significant growth for Florida markets including Orlando and Punta Gorda as well as Raleigh/Durham in North Carolina and Arizona’s Phoenix. As previously announced, Breeze Airways will also begin three new routes at SDF in May to Hartford (BDL), Los Angeles (LAX) and Pittsburgh (PIT), marking a record high 41 destinations with nonstop flights from Louisville. This good news follows 2025, which was SDF’s third busiest year to date with 4.6 million total passengers that followed its no. 1 record year in 2024.


“The past three years have all been record-setting for passenger traffic at SDF,” added Mann. “With the new routes on Breeze beginning in a few weeks, plus the strong numbers for Spring Break, we feel good about the year ahead.”

About Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF)
Owned and operated by the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, the Louisville Muhammad Ali
International Airport (SDF) is the state’s premier airport, serving more Kentuckians annually than
any other airport in the Commonwealth. Eight commercial passenger airlines offer nonstop service
to more than 40 nonstop destinations from Louisville. SDF is home to UPS Worldport, moving
millions of tons of products each year, making it the no. 1 busiest cargo airport in North America and
Top 5 in the world. Aviation is an economic powerhouse for the region that generates $12.8 billion in
economic impact every year. One in 8 jobs is generated by SDF and Bowman Field and their
aviation partners. Visit www.FlyLouisville.com to learn more

River Ridge Board Approves $5.175 Million for Service Agreements with Community Partners

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Authorization granted for negotiation of final agreements with Jeffersonville, Charlestown, Utica, Clark County and Greater Clark County Schools

Jeffersonville, IN (March 12, 2026) – Today at its regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting, the River Ridge Development Authority (RRDA) approved five resolutions authorizing 2026 Service Agreements with community partners for the provision of public utilities, safety, and educational expenditures supporting the River Ridge Commerce Center.  Authorization to commence negotiations for agreements with local governments include the City of Jeffersonville, the City of Charlestown, the Town of Utica and Clark County.  Additionally, the RRDA will initiate an educational capital improvement agreement with Greater Clark County Schools. 

“River Ridge and the businesses within the Commerce Center are grateful for our partnerships with all our public entities,” said Marc Hildenbrand, RRDA Executive Director.  “We appreciate the utility, public safety, and educational services provided by these partners that allow our businesses to grow, thereby benefiting the entire Southern Indiana region.”

In 2025, the River Ridge Commerce Center was home to nearly 80 companies, employing a total of 13,054 employees.  

“Our shared commitment to service and partnership exemplifies how a strong, unified region addresses community needs and drives economic prosperity for the benefit of all residents,” Hildenbrand added.

Once agreements are finalized, River Ridge will provide one-time payments designated for the following services:

  • Since annexing the portion of River Ridge within the City limits in 2000, the City of Jeffersonville has provided property owners within the River Ridge Commerce Center with municipal services including public safety and wastewater treatment.  River Ridge plans to continue its support of Jeffersonville services in the amount of $3,500,000 for 2026.  Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore stated, “We appreciate River Ridge’s meaningful investment in our community’s safety and essential infrastructure.  It strengthens our ability to provide quality police and fire services along with wastewater treatment, to better serve all city residents and businesses, while enforcing the partnership that drives our progress.” 
  • Bryan Glover, President of the Clark County Commissioners, expressed appreciation for River Ridge’s contribution of $850,000 to support Clark County Sheriff’s department patrols as well as other emergency support services throughout the Commerce Center.  “A safe, well served Commerce Center is essential to sustaining the economic momentum we’re seeing in Clark County. River Ridge’s contribution strengthens our shared efforts to support both growth and the first responders who make that growth possible,” said Glover.
  • To support educational capital improvements, River Ridge is partnering with the Greater Clark County School Corporation to contribute $500,000 toward projects such as STEM labs in designated schools.  STEM Labs are hands-on, interactive spaces that promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math skills through experimentation and creativity.   Greater Clark Superintendent Mark Laughner said, “We are grateful for River Ridge’s commitment to fostering critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving in our schools. These skills will empower students as they continue to strengthen their academic foundation and equip students with the knowledge and confidence they need to succeed in their future.” 
  • River Ridge development within the limits of the City of Charlestown has certainly accelerated in the past few years.  By today’s action, RRDA will work to contribute $250,000 in 2026 to Charlestown in exchange for sanitary sewer services as well as police services.  Dr. Treva Hodges, Mayor of Charlestown and Chair of the RRDA Board, stated, “The City of Charlestown and River Ridge are committed to not only creating economic opportunities for Southern Indiana, but also to ensuring mutually responsible growth that supports our neighbors and communities.”
  • Through mutual aid agreements, the Town of Utica supports emergency services throughout the River Ridge Commerce Center, as well.   River Ridge has pledged $75,000 to support Utica’s efforts.  Town Council President Steve Long said, “Mutual aid agreements work because partners step up for one another, and River Ridge continues to do exactly that. Their contribution directly enhances our shared ability to deliver high quality emergency services across the region.”

Depending upon its projected funding capacity from financial analyses, the RRDA intends to make additional annual contributions to these entities in 2027 and going forward.

About the River Ridge Development Authority

The River Ridge Development Authority (RRDA) manages the River Ridge Commerce Center, a 6,000-acre business and office park established in 1998 to replace lost economic activity resulting from the closure of the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant.  Today, River Ridge is home to nearly 80 companies such as Amazon, Meta, CTDI, Collins Aerospace, Medline, and Valeris.  Onsite employment totaled more than 13,050 in 2025, and the Commerce Center produced a record economic output for the region. The investments and growth at River Ridge earned the RRDA the International Economic Development Council’s 2020 Gold Award for Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse.

Media Contact:

River Ridge Development Authority

Wendy Dant Chesser, Chief Director

Phone:  812-285-8979

Email:  wendy@riverridgecc.com

Visitor Spending Supports Communities; Generates Sales for Southern Indiana Businesses 

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Southern Indiana (March 10, 2026) – Visitor spending in Clark and Floyd Counties remained steady in 2024, benefiting local businesses and residents. Those visiting the two counties in 2024 generated nearly $559 million in top-line sales, fueling the local economy. This is according to the latest Economic Contribution of Tourism in Clark-Floyd Region report from Rockport Analytics. 

“Each year these reports show us that visitors are spending more than dollars on a hotel stay,” said SoIN Tourism Executive Director Jim Epperson. “This infusion of visitor spending is a boost to longtime mom-and-pop shops and supports the addition of new businesses, keeping our destination’s offerings fresh for tourists and residents.” 

Companies that directly serve travelers, from restaurants and attractions to hotels and retailers, saw $209 million in value-added impact, a 2.9% increase over 2023. Beyond those front-line businesses, tourism’s ripple effect continues throughout the local economy. Supply chain partners, such as vendors and service providers, receive more than $52 million in value-added activity. 

The tourism industry also supported 7,370 jobs in 2024, generating $181.3 million in wages. More than 6,000 jobs in Clark and Floyd counties were directly related to tourism. These jobs range from entry-level positions in the service industry to upper management for hotels, attractions and events.  

Dollars spent by visitors to Clark and Floyd counties also serve as a source of tax revenue for the community. Without tourism, SoIN households would pay $764 more in yearly taxes to sustain current levels of emergency services, schools, and infrastructure. 

All together, these numbers underscore how visitor spending strengthens the business community, creates jobs and fuels continued economic growth across Southern Indiana. 

View Full Report & Graphics 

To schedule an interview with SoIN Tourism Executive Director Jim Epperson, please contact Communications Manager Anna Rosales-Crone at Anna@GoSoIN.com or 812-282-6692. 

About the 2024 Economic Contribution of Tourism in Clark-Floyd Region 

Commissioned by the Indiana Destination Development Corporation (IDDC), the 2024 Economic Contribution of Tourism report uses the IMPLAN model (www.implan.com) to measure the direct, indirect, and induced impacts of visitation to the state using data and research collected by nationally recognized tourism research and economic experts. Due to the complexity of the tourism industry, which includes visitor spending in multiple categories, 2024 is the most complete set of data on hand. 

SoIN Tourism is the official destination marketing organization for Clark and Floyd counties in Southern Indiana, just north of Louisville, Ky. Offering authentic experiences in the Kentuckiana region, SoIN includes historic downtowns in Jeffersonville and New Albany, Clarksville’s retail corridor, as well as the communities of Charlestown, Floyds Knobs, Georgetown, Henryville, Memphis, New Washington, Sellersburg, and Starlight. Visitors who would like more information can visit the destination’s website, GoSoIN.com. 

2026 Silver Creek High School to host 2nd College & Career Day

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On April 9th, 2026 Silver Creek High School in Sellersburg, IN will host our 2nd College & Career Day.  Far more than a simple job fair, this event brings the entire student body together to engage with 90+ local businesses, colleges, and business leaders!  All 1000+ students will attend breakout sessions and visit the massive vendor fair.  Indiana education leader and CEO of the STARTedUP Foundation Don Wettrick will be our morning keynote speaker.  Over $20,000 in donations from local businesses will be given to entrepreneurial SCHS Students to help launch their business!

See last year’s award winners here.

Party with the Animals: Mayor Greenberg and the Louisville Zoo invite you to celebrate February’s “Birthday Bash”

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (February 24, 2026) — Mayor Craig Greenberg and the Louisville Zoo invite you to celebrate some of the Zoo’s most beloved animal residents with February birthdays on Saturday, Feb. 28. This new “Birthday Bash” event launched in 2026, will be a monthly series of animal birthday celebrations that will continue throughout the year.

Watch as these birthday stars enjoy species-specific custom enrichment treats designed just for them. Plus, guests can enjoy special keeper talks that reveal fascinating animal stories and care insights.

Birthday Bash schedule (subject to change):

10:10 a.m.       Bongo Gladys (6)                                                         Bongo yard

10:30 a.m.       Dalmatian pelicans Paul (7) and Wart (10)                 Islands

11:00 a.m.       Little penguins

                        Kororaa (kah roar ah) (9), Bishop (4), Paul (9), Toby (13), and Ziti (3)

                                                                                                            Islands

11:30 a.m.       African penguins

                        Chuck (15), Norris (6), and Nigel (10)                         Islands

Noon                Emus Bob and Rico (both 19)                                     Australia

12:30 p.m.       Meerkat Barry (12)                                                     Meerkat

The February Birthday Bash is free with Zoo admission. Plan your visit and see the full schedule at https://louisvillezoo.org/birthdaybash.

Zoo Hours
The Zoo is open daily year-round. Now through March 20, 2026, hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with guests exiting by 5 p.m. The Zoo is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Visit louisvillezoo.org for more information on hours and admission.

About the Zoo
The Louisville Zoo, the State Zoo of Kentucky, is the top, non-profit, paid attraction in the state. The Zoo is dedicated to bettering the bond between people and our planet by providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for visitors, and leadership in scientific research and conservation education. The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), a global alliance of zoos and aquariums. For more information visit www.louisvillezoo.org.

CONTACT:  Kyle Shepherd

502-238-5331 (media cell 502-744-5639)

Kyle.shepherd@louisvilleky.gov

IU Southeast Computer Science Team places 2nd in Midwest Regional CCDC State Qualifier Round

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New Albany, Ind – A team of eight Indiana University Southeast students placed 2nd in the state qualifier round of the recent Midwest Regional Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition. The team competed against 16 other teams from Indiana and Minnesota on January 31, 2026,  and will now advance to the Wild Card qualifier round. 

The CCDC is an online cyber defense challenge that focuses on the efforts needed to manage, maintain, and protect a virtual commercial network from a very hostile team comprised of professional attackers.

In the Wild Card round, IU Southeast will face the 2nd and 3rd place finishers from the other state competitions in the region. The competition will be similar to the past two rounds in November and January, but more challenging.

Associate Computer Science Professor John Doyle coaches the team and is the advisor for the Computer Science Group. Doyle said there were a lot of strong, well-qualified teams in the competition.

“The 2nd place finish reflects the dedication and hard work that helped this team have one of the best performances since IU Southeast began competing in CCDC in 2012. The students on this team are some of the best students in the Computer Science department. Their hard work in their classes and participation in the Computer Science Group meetings really paid off at this year’s State qualifier.”

Most of the team members are pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science with the Cybersecurity Track or are earning IU Southeast’s Cybersecurity Certificate in addition to a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. 

Team members included:

Jonah Facer (captain), Georgetown, Ind.

John Aaron, Charlestown, Ind.

Jacob Braswell, Charlestown, Ind.

Anastasia McDaniel, Lexington, Ind.

Andrew Nale, Corydon, Ind.

Andon Payton, Sellersburg, Ind.

Andrew Swartz Depauw, Ind.

Jessica Ward, Scottsburg, Ind.

The Wild Card Qualifier Round will take place on February 21, 2026.

About IU Southeast: IU Southeast is one of nine campuses of Indiana University. Offering top-quality and nationally accredited programs in education, nursing, business, social sciences, natural sciences, arts and humanities, the scenic 180-acre campus is located less than 15 minutes from downtown Louisville, Kentucky. It currently has over 3,750 students and employs over 360 faculty members. About 400 students live on campus in five fully furnished, lodge-style residence halls. Through an agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Indiana University Southeast offers in-state tuition to students enrolled from ten counties in the Louisville region, including Bullitt, Hardin, Henry, Jefferson, Meade, Nelson, Oldham, Shelby, Trimble, and Spencer counties and discounted tuition for remaining Kentucky residents through the Indiana Partner Program. For more information, visit https://southeast.iu.edu. IU Southeast is a tobacco-free campus.

The Mustard Seed Announces Valentine’s Giveaway to Support Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

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Southern Indiana — February 2026 — This Valentine’s season, The Mustard Seed is inviting the community to share love with purpose through a special in-store Valentine’s Giveaway taking place at all three Mustard Seed thrift store locations in Floyds Knobs, Sellersburg, and Corydon, Indiana.

The giveaway is designed to both thank shoppers for their generosity and visibly demonstrate community support for survivors of childhood sexual abuse — the heart of The Mustard Seed’s mission.

During the giveaway period, any shopper who chooses to round up their purchase or make a monetary donation at checkout will receive a paper heart. Shoppers are invited to write their name on the front and their contact information on the back of the heart, which will then be displayed in-store as a public show of support for survivors.

At the close of business on Saturday, each Mustard Seed location — Floyds Knobs, Sellersburg, and Corydon — will randomly select one heart, resulting in three total winners. Each selected participant will receive a $100 Mustard Seed gift card. Winners will be contacted directly the following Monday.

All funds raised through round-ups and donations help The Mustard Seed continue its mission of connecting survivors to healing resources, including trauma-informed counseling and other supportive services.

The Valentine’s Giveaway will take place at all Mustard Seed thrift store locations in Floyds Knobs, Sellersburg, and Corydon, Indiana. Community members are encouraged to stop in, shop with purpose, and help fill the stores with hearts — both on the walls and in action.

For more information about The Mustard Seed or its mission, visit www.themustardseedthrift.com or follow along on social media.

About The Mustard Seed
The Mustard Seed is a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting survivors of childhood sexual abuse to healing resources through funding, education, and prevention. The organization is primarily funded through its thrift stores located in Southern Indiana.

Media Contact:
Elle Fleenor
Director of Marketing, Media, & E-Commerce
The Mustard Seed
elle@mustardseedthrift.com
(812) 595-4183

Louisville Muhammad Ali International AirportCelebrates Another Year of Success

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Airport experienced Top 3 busiest year ever, remained a global leader in cargo operations and investment progressed on SDF Next Program

Louisville, KY (February 5, 2026) – The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport(SDF) marked another year of success in 2025 including celebrating its third busiest year for passenger traffic following its top two record years in 2023 and 2024. Last year, 4.59 million total passengers flew in or out of SDF with Sunday, May 4, 2025 (the day after the Kentucky Derby) serving as the airport’s busiest day yet with 18,500 departing seats.


In 2025, a total of 19 nonstop routes increased their capacity throughout the year while eight of these were by double-digits. Eight airlines continue providing service to more than 40 nonstop destinations from Louisville, including last year’s launch of service to Nashville (BNA) on Southwest Airlines that provides convenient connections to more than 75 cities across the country.


“Passenger figures remained consistently strong throughout last year,” said Dan Mann, Executive Director of the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, which owns and operates SDF. “To experience three consecutive years of record-setting growth, all of which mark the highest passenger totals in SDF’s history is a testament to the community’s support and the robust air service options available to travelers at our airport.”


SDF Next Program Investment
Progress continues on the SDF Next Program, a comprehensive capital improvement initiative that will see more than $1 billion invested in the airfield and Jerry E. Abramson Terminal. To date, more than $364 million in projects have been completed with more than $565 million in additional investment expected between now and 2028.


Terminal highlights from 2025 include progress on the new security checkpoint expansion, a 30,000 square feet addition with 10 passenger screening lanes that will house the latest technology is scheduled to be operational by early 2027. On the airfield, the first phase of Taxiway B reconstruction was completed along with various electrical upgrades and pavement rehabilitation to areas of SDF’s runways and taxiways.


Looking ahead to 2026 in the terminal, nearly $70 million in significant improvements to the post-security area along Concourses A and B just recently kicked off that include mechanical upgrades, skylight replacement and an overhaul of all gate waiting areas. On the airfield, reconstruction of both Taxiways B and D are expected, totaling $40 million in investment to improve operational efficiencies for aircraft.


Global Leader in Cargo
Cargo operations at SDF remained strong last year as home of UPS Worldport, the center point of their global air network. The airport also set another record for its busiest year for cargo operations with nearly 7.5 billion pounds of cargo handled in 2025, besting the previous year by more than 13%. With this record, it’s believed that SDF will likely be the no. 1 busiest airport for cargo operations in North America and remain within the Top 5 in the world. Airports Council International World is expected to release its preliminary World Airport Traffic Report in the Spring with updated rankings for 2025.


An Economic Engine for the State
The Airport Authority including SDF and Bowman Field, the crucial general aviation reliever airport for the community, continue to be the no. 1 economic powerhouse for aviation in the state. Each year, airport and airport-related activities generate $12.8 billion in economic impact and $550 million in state and local tax revenue, or $1 in every $6 in Louisville Metro tax revenue. Plus, nearly 90,000 jobs – or 1 in 8 jobs in Louisville Metro – can be attributed to airport operations.


“SDF is leading the way for our community, our region and the state,” added Mann. “We continue to be a major economic driver, global leader in cargo operations and set new passenger records. We are well positioned to continue this momentum into 2026 for another successful year.”


| Media Materials |
Defying Expectation Presentation from Executive Director Dan Mann during his annual Year-End Briefing.


SDF Fact Sheet 2025

 

About Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF)
Owned and operated by the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) is the state’s premier airport, serving more Kentuckians annually than any other airport in the Commonwealth. Eight commercial passenger airlines offer nonstop service to more than 40 nonstop destinations from Louisville. SDF is home to UPS Worldport, moving millions of tons of products each year, making it the no. 1 busiest cargo airport in North America and Top 5 in the world. Aviation is an economic powerhouse for the region that generates $12.8 billion in economic impact every year. One in 8 jobs is generated by SDF and Bowman Field and their aviation partners. Visit www.FlyLouisville.com to learn more.

Contact: Natalie Chaudoin
(502) 363-8507 office
(502) 475-8084 cell
Natalie.Chaudoin@FlyLouisville.com