Purdue Airport to host ceremonial first flight, groundbreaking, ahead of commercial service

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.— As commercial flight returns to the Purdue University Airport in May, a ground breaking for the new Amelia Earhart Terminal and a ceremonial first flight are scheduled for May 14.

After Purdue and Surf Air Mobility, Inc., agreed in December to begin scheduled commuter air service between West Lafayette/Purdue University Airport (LAF) and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD). May 15 will mark the return of commercial air service for the first time since 2004 to the Purdue Airport, according to a news release, when commercially scheduled flights will be available to the public.

A ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Amelia Earhart Terminal will be held May 14 at Purdue University Airport, featuring remarks by Purdue President Mung Chiang, according to the release. At the conclusion of the groundbreaking, officials from Purdue, Southern Airways and the community will take off on a ceremonial first flight to O’Hare and back to West Lafayette.

Construction on the new, $11.8 million, approximately 9,400-square-foot terminal building will commence in May, with completion expected in August 2025, the release stated. Planned to be located directly west of the existing airport terminal, the Amelia Earhart Terminal will include ticketing, passenger screening, baggage claim and a waiting area to comply with Transportation Security Administration and Federal Aviation Administration requirements.

According to the release, the Purdue University Airport recommends local travelers consider its new commercial airline services when booking flights due to numerous time and cost savings among other conveniences.

Information about booking flights can be found at https://www.purdue.edu/airport/flight/.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue Airport to host ceremonial first flight, terminal groundbreaking