A monthly dispatch from the Chicago Department of Aviation | Jan. 31, 2023

NOW ARRIVING

City celebrates completion of Terminal 5 expansion, modernization

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot joined the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) today to celebrate the grand opening of the new eastern extension of Terminal 5, a major milestone in the $1.3 billion, four-year investment to expand and modernize the key gateway at O'Hare International Airport.

“O’Hare is a significant economic engine for our entire region and the first impression of Chicago for millions of visitors every year,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “That's why we are especially proud to cut the ribbon to this expanded, modernized Terminal 5, which represents a major milestone in O’Hare’s curb-to-gate transformation into one of the great airports of the 21st century under the O’Hare 21 capital improvement program. Importantly, this project will also build on my administration’s and CDA's ongoing commitment and efforts to create equitable, economic opportunities for Black and Brown residents, businesses, and construction and development firms.”

PUBLIC ART TAKES FLIGHT

CDA, DCASE partner to bring art to Terminal 5

As part of the Terminal 5 expansion, the CDA and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) are commissioning the City's largest single acquisition of works by Chicago artists in 30 years.

This $3.5 million project presents a unique opportunity to invest in Chicago artists and creative professionals while providing international visitors a dynamic and welcoming first impression of this great city.

WHAT'S POPPING AT MIDWAY?

Midway's first Garrett Popcorn Shop opens for National Popcorn Day!

On Jan. 19 – National Popcorn Day – the CDA hosted a ribbon-cutting for the first Midway location for Chicago favorite Garrett Popcorn Shops. The opening in the airport's Central Market is the latest step in the concessions redevelopment under the Midway Modernization Program.

The new shop is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and serves Garrett Popcorn fan-favorites like Garrett Mix, CheeseCorn, CaramelCrisp and a variety of Nut CaramelCrisp recipes, in addition to classics like Buttery and Plain. The storefront features an iconic giant Garrett Popcorn tin in front of a mural of the Chicago skyline, perfect for selfie opportunities.

TACO 'BOUT CONVENIENCE!

Chicago Travel Plaza opens at O'Hare

The CDA and representatives from Petroleum Marketing Group (PMG) hosted a ribbon cutting this month to celebrate the completion of the Chicago Travel Plaza at O’Hare International Airport, which is fully occupied following the opening of Chicago’s first Taco John’s restaurant.

The plaza, located on a two-acre site at Higgins Road and Patton Drive in the northeast corner of the airport property, is home to a fueling station featuring alternative fuels and 16 electric vehicle chargers, as well as a convenience retail building that includes a 7-Eleven and a Taco John’s — the northernmost restaurant within Chicago’s city limits.

Fly Quiet proposal submitted to FAA

The proposal for a new Fly Quiet Program at O'Hare, approved last summer by the O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission (ONCC), was submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) late last month for regulatory review and approval. ONCC members were notified of the submittal during the group's first General Meeting of 2023 on Jan. 13.

2022 Accomplishments at Chicago's Airports

Ringing in a New Year is a great chance to look back at all the accomplishments of the previous 12 months. Here are a few 2022 highlights from O'Hare and Midway:

The Airport Transit System (ATS) returned to 24/7 service
The CDA hosted two Airport Expo and Job Fairs at the UIC Forum
The FAA approved proposals for the transformation of O'Hare's terminals under the Terminal Area Plan (TAP) following an environmental review
Global Traveler named O'Hare the Best Airport in North America for the 19th year in a row and WhereverFamily named Midway the Best Family Friendly Domestic Airport for the third consecutive year

Happy Year of the Rabbit

Local musician Kerry Leung helped ring in the Year of the Rabbit with a Lunar New Year concert at the Terminal 3 Rotunda on Jan. 23 as part of the Chi on the Fly performance series.

Hear an excerpt of his performance

ORD and MDW wore blue for Human Trafficking Awareness Month

Chicago’s airports joined government agencies across the country on Jan. 11 to participate in the #WearBlueChi campaign to raise awareness for Human Trafficking Awareness Month, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Cook County Human Trafficking Task Force (CCHTTF).

O'Hare and Midway were both lit up in blue to raise awareness for this important cause.

Learn more from DHS

AIR SERVICE CORNER

Frontier Airlines: MDW to San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU); announced today, starts May 4
Southern Airways Express: ORD to Quincy, Illinois (UIN), launched in December 2022
American Airlines: ORD to Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) launched in January 2023; and ORD to Aspen, CO (ASE) launched in December 2022
United Airlines: ORD to Johnstown, PA (JST); and ORD to Key West, FL (EYW), launched in December 2022

DID YOU KNOW?

More than 42,000 people are employed at O'Hare, approximately the population of suburban Buffalo Grove

Midway's annual operating budget is about 50% of the entire annual operating budget of the City of Madison, WI

O'Hare has over 10 acres of vegetated "green roofs" – roughly the size of the Field Museum's exhibition space – which can remove 580,800 pounds of airborne particulate matter a year

JOIN THE TEAM!

O'Hare and Midway Airports are hiring!

See the latest opportunities with the CDA or with airport concessionaires.

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