CHANGE IS IN THE AIR!

FAA approves $7.1 billion of O'Hare 21 terminal redevelopment work

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg joined Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Commissioner Jamie Rhee at O'Hare International Airport this month to announce that an FAA environmental review found there is "no significant impact" of the proposed Terminal Area Plan (TAP) from the CDA, paving the way to start construction on two new satellite concourses at O'Hare, the new O'Hare Global Terminal that will replace Terminal 2, and other associated projects.

The TAP is a critical component of O'Hare 21, an ongoing investment in the airport's terminals that will further support the breadth of air service that makes O'Hare one of the world's busiest airports.

The FAA's decision clears the way for construction to begin on the satellite concourses and related airfield work when the ground thaws this spring.



Read more from the City of Chicago and the FAA or learn more about the O'Hare 21 capital improvement program

CDA team hosts 2022's second Airport Expo and Job Fair

Job seekers, small business owners, contractors and others interested in doing business at Chicago's airports joined the CDA at this year's second Airport Expo and Job Fair on Nov. 18 at UIC Forum. 

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PLAN AHEAD: Parking will be tight at Terminal 5

Parking is limited in Lot D at O'Hare's Terminal 5 as work continues on a new, six-story parking garage. Passengers traveling through Terminal 5 and locals picking up arriving passengers should allow extra time for parking and consider other parking options, as well as the Kiss 'n' Fly at the Multi-Modal Facility, or the free Cell Phone Lot at 560 N. Bessie Coleman Drive.

Thank you for your patience during this inconvenience as the Chicago Department of Aviation builds a better O'Hare for everyone!

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Columbia students create new looks in CDA's 'Fashion Packed Challenge'

In partnership with the fashion design program at Columbia College of Chicago, the CDA hosted a unique fashion competition this month in which fashion students assembled a new piece of wearable fashion using recycled materials provided by airlines. This year's winner, Alicja Hejnar, made a dress inspired by MAC's "Travel Exclusive: Priority Eye and Face Palette" featuring a skirt made from an up-cycled pilot's jacket.



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Midway honors veterans with 'American Heroes' photo exhibit

The CDA hosted a ribbon-cutting this month for a new gallery exhibit titled "American Heroes: Portraits of Service" at Midway International Airport in the pedestrian walkway between the CTA Orange Line station and the concourses.

The exhibit features portraits by photographer Thomas Sanders of 65 veterans from across the country who served America during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

Read their stories or learn more in the Sun-Times

Airports Going Green highlights sustainability in aviation

The CDA and the American Association of Airport Executives hosted the 15th annual Airports Going Green Conference in River North from Nov. 14-16, featuring industry-leading discussions on sustainability in aviation from experts including FAA Associate Administrator for Airports Shannetta Griffin and Andrew Velasquez III, the CDA's First Deputy Commissioner.

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Learn about the history of O'Hare and Midway International Airports

November is Aviation History Month, the perfect time to learn about how O'Hare grew from its humble beginnings as Orchard Field to the best-connected airport in the world, or how Chicago Municipal Airport became the "busiest square mile in aviation" as Midway International Airport. See the photo series on display in O'Hare's Terminal 3 L Concourse Stinger for more airport history!

Say it ain't snow!

O'Hare recorded its first measurable snow of the season on Nov. 15 — about 0.9 inches, according to the National Weather Service. O'Hare and Midway stand ready to handle anything a Chicago winter could throw at them. There are 257 pieces of snow equipment ready to deploy at O'Hare and 66 at ready to roll at Midway.

MDW Smart Corridor Project gives travelers real-time traffic information

The Chicago Department of Transportation and the CDA implemented the MDW Smart Corridor Project this month, an innovative new system that provides real-time traffic information to people traveling to or from Midway International Airport. The project helps travelers plan their trips and helps CDOT balance traffic on the arterial streets around the airport.

Enhanced signage will help visitors find their way to Blue Line

In partnership with the CTA, O'Hare completed a new signage project this month that will help passengers in the Main Terminals find the walkways between baggage claim and the Blue Line. It's part of an ongoing effort to rethink the wayfinding experience at the world's best connected airport, led by a dedicated team of more than two dozen experts in airport design, architecture, planning, marketing, security, communications and customer service.

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• American Airlines: ORD to the Cayman Islands (GCM), launched Nov. 19
• Frontier Airlines: MDW to Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ) launching February 2023
• United Airlines: ORD to Shannon, Ireland (SNN) and Barcelona, Spain (BCN) launching May 2023
• Air Serbia: ORD to Belgrade, Serbia (BEG) launching May 2023