Republic Airways' chief executive and the man running Indianapolis International Airport are sitting down together in Carmel this month to talk about where air travel in Central Indiana is headed next. The free public panel, called New Altitude: Navigating the Future of Air Travel, runs from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on September 29 at the Ritz Charles, and registration is required to attend.
The event is hosted by Hamilton County Tourism, according to Hamilton County, Indiana's announcement of the panel, and it will explore emerging travel trends, aviation industry changes, and what they mean for tourism, business, and economic development across the county. Hamilton County Commissioner Steven Dillinger is slated to appear on the panel alongside Mario Rodriguez, Executive Director and CEO of Indianapolis International Airport, and Matthew J. Koscal, President and CEO of Republic Airways. Gerry Dick, president of Inside Indiana Business, will moderate.
Republic Airways' New Carmel Roots
Koscal took over as President and CEO of Republic Airways Holdings in June 2026, leading the carrier after its late-2025 merger with Mesa Air Group created a combined fleet of more than 300 Embraer regional jets, according to the Indianapolis Business Journal. That merger expanded Republic's daily schedule to more than 1,300 flights operated on behalf of American Eagle, Delta Connection, and United Express, the outlet reported.
Republic's ties to Hamilton County run deeper than the boardroom. In February 2026, the airline opened a $200 million corporate headquarters and pilot training campus in Carmel, consolidating its pilot, flight attendant, and technician training into a single hub, according to the Indianapolis Recorder. The company relocated its regional headquarters to Carmel's Meridian Street corporate corridor to centralize training operations nationwide.
Republic has also been working to build its own pilot pipeline through its Leadership in Flight Training Academy, established at Indianapolis International Airport in 2018. The program offers subsidized tuition of $75,000 net and guarantees First Officer job offers once trainees reach 1,500 flight hours, per FLYING Magazine, using Diamond DA40 and DA42 aircraft for instruction.
A Record Year For Indianapolis International
Rodriguez brings a lengthy résumé to the Ritz Charles stage. He has led the Indianapolis Airport Authority since 2014 and was named the 2024 International Citizen of the Year by The International Center, as well as the Indiana Chamber's 2023 Dynamic Leader of the Year, according to Inside INdiana Business. He has also served on federal aviation advisory panels under three presidential administrations, the outlet noted.
Under his leadership, the airport has been racking up accolades and passenger numbers alike. Indianapolis International handled more than 10.5 million passengers in 2025, an all-time record connecting Central Indiana with over 50 nonstop domestic and international destinations, according to the American Heart Association. In February 2026, Airports Council International named Indianapolis International the Best Airport in North America in its passenger category for the 14th consecutive year running, a distinction based on traveler feedback and 34 key performance indicators among medium-sized airports, according to the Indianapolis Airport Authority.
The airport's reach extends well beyond passenger terminals. It serves as the second-largest FedEx Express hub in the world and ranks among the top 25 busiest cargo airports globally, processing more than 1 million tonnes of freight annually, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
Hamilton County's Own Aviation Assets
The panel's local host has skin in the game too. Hamilton County owns and operates Indianapolis Executive Airport in nearby Zionsville, which completed a $15.2 million runway extension to 7,001 feet in November 2023 to accommodate larger corporate jets, establishing the longest general aviation runway in Central Indiana, according to Building Excellence.
Local aviation leaders have also pushed to add a U.S. Customs post at Indianapolis Executive Airport, a move that would allow direct international general aviation flights into the county without requiring stops at larger hub airports, according to a report from WRTV. That effort, along with the runway upgrade, points to Hamilton County's ambitions of positioning Zionsville as a serious option for corporate travelers.
Hamilton County Tourism, the panel's host organization, is led by David West, who took over as President and CEO in late 2024. The county draws more than 4 million visitors annually, and West's destination stewardship plan targets sustainable visitor growth across Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, and surrounding communities, according to Carmel Monthly Magazine.
The New Altitude panel arrives against a backdrop of steady scrutiny on regional aviation. Hoodline previously covered a midair incident involving a Republic Airways flight attendant, noting the carrier operates 1,250 daily flights out of its Carmel headquarters. Registration for the free September 29 panel remains open ahead of the 10 a.m. session at the Ritz Charles.
