SUMMER TRAVEL IN HIGH GEAR

O'Hare, Midway welcome 1.75M passengers over long Independence Day weekend

Summer travel was in full swing over the long Independence Day weekend as O’Hare and Midway International Airports welcomed an estimated 1.75 million passengers between Wednesday, July 3, and Monday, July 8, based on airline projections — a 10.4% increase over last Fourth of July.

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ENGAGING CHICAGO'S COMMUNITIES

Airport Outreach Van attends West Side 'Take Back the Block' event

CDA staff brought the department’s Community Outreach Van, "Big Blue," to participate in a community event July 19 at in South Austin as part of Mayor Brandon Johnson’s “Take Back the Block” initiative, which is designed to foster community engagement, reduce violent crime, and demonstrate the City's unwavering commitment to community safety and development.

The van is equipped with a flight simulator to bring the wonders of flight to engagement events across all 77 Chicago neighborhoods, in addition to providing information about career opportunities available at O’Hare and Midway International Airports.

The “Take Back the Block” initiative was launched earlier this month in response to recent incidents of gun violence. Mayor Johnson has called for a unified governmental approach to support impacted communities. Being present in communities allows the full force of government to develop a more intimate understanding of local needs and enhance the ability to address those needs effectively.

Learn more about the “Take Back the Block” initiative

CDA unveils patriotic activity book

The CDA released a new activity book for young travelers passing through Chicago’s airports this summer, just in time for the Fourth of July travel period and the busy summer convention season.

The Welcome to Chicago activity book highlights the patriotism of Chicago as a hard-working city built by a melting pot of diverse cultures from all over the world.

The new book, along with the Chicago Airports Activity & Coloring Book and the A is for Airport coloring book, are available at visitor information booths throughout O’Hare and Midway.

PDF versions of the activity books are also available at FlyChicago.com/JrFlightCrew.

CDA hosts Rental Car Supplier Diversity Outreach Day

On July 15, the CDA hosted a diversity outreach event for entrepreneurs interested in contracting opportunities with rental car companies at the Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport Hotel.

The event included a morning networking session, during which individuals from small businesses and Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (ACDBE) met with decision-makers from the airport and rental car industries.

The Chicago Department of Procurement Services (DPS) facilitated a workshop outlining the steps involved to become DBE- and ACDBE-certified. Attendees also had an opportunity to network with decision makers.

The event was one of many ways in which the CDA works to help promote DBE and ACDBE initiatives, from a multitude of resources provided to small businesses citywide to regularly scheduled symposiums.

Bronzeville Bites coming to O'Hare's Terminal 5

The Chicago City Council earlier this month approved a lease agreement to bring the flavors of a popular South Side eatery to O’Hare’s expanded and renovated Terminal 5.

Bronzeville Bites will feature a signature bar with small plates modeled after Bronzeville Winery in the namesake neighborhood. The 10-year lease agreement allows San Francisco-based High Flying Foods to operate the restaurant with local partners Hyde Park Hospitality LLC and Santa Klorina LLC in a joint venture achieving an ACDBE participation rate of 55%.

Read more about the restaurant in the Chicago Sun-Times.

Midway staff host tour for aircraft maintenance interns

Nine interns with aircraft maintenance provider AAR Corp. took a tour of Midway International Airport on June 20.They began the day’s activities with a tour of the airfield, as well as the airport’s terminals and baggage claim area. The group also stopped by Southwest Airlines’ operations office, where they visited the Command Center and met with Southwest’s chief pilot of inflight operations at Midway.

The tour offered a great opportunity for the interns to learn more about the innerworkings at one of the nation’s busiest airports, as well as to further their interest in aviation industry careers. AAR Corp., headquartered in suburban Wood Dale, has operations in more than 20 countries.

Avianca to launch O'Hare service to Bogotá

Colombia-based carrier Avianca announced this month that it will resume service from O’Hare to Bogotá after a five-year hiatus.

Flights to the Colombian capital start on Oct. 27. Avianca will be the only carrier providing direct service from Chicago to Bogotá, and O’Hare will be the airline’s 12th U.S. destination.

The Bogotá route complements Avianca's service from O'Hare to Guatemala City, which launched in December 2023.

New seating, light pillars installed at Midway

New seating was installed this month in Midway’s revamped Central Market at the intersection of Concourses A and B. Situated between two stylish and colorful light pillars, it’s the perfect spot to relax before your flight or take a breather after a busy day of travel.

Taxiway work underway at Midway

Construction crews at Midway are hard at work modernizing the airfield by reconfiguring three of its taxiways. The project will enhance the safety and efficiency of aircraft movements at the Southwest Side airport and improve the travel experience for all passengers.

South Side youth tour O'Hare with Ald. Derrick Curtis

Young residents of the 18th Ward spent the day with CDA employees on July 19, learning the ins and outs of one of the world’s busiest airport systems.

Approximately 50 participants – including adult supervisors and 18th Ward Ald. Derrick Curtis, Vice Chair of the City Council Committee on Aviation – started off the morning with a presentation on airport operations at both O’Hare and Midway, followed by a tour of O’Hare’s airfield.

Tour highlights included an on-the-ground view of one of O’Hare’s private aircraft runways and a live demonstration of the Chicago Fire Department (CFD) Burn Pit used for aircraft rescue and firefighting training.

Thanks to everyone who made this tour possible – from the organizers to the bus drivers to the tour guides and escorts – and helped make the day special for 18th Ward youth!

Honor Flight Chicago's 116th trip departs from Midway to Washington

Honor Flight Chicago’s 116th trip to bring veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces to visit the National Memorials in Washington, D.C., departed from Midway on July 24.

This trip marked the 11,000th veteran to make the journey since the Honor Flight program launched in 2006 in collaboration with the CDA and Southwest Airlines.

One of the veterans who attended the trip, 97-year-old Sgt. First Class Edward E. Walls, had the distinction of serving in three conflicts — World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

Baskin-Robbins, Dunkin' and Gallery ORD join O'Hare's concessions lineup

A combination Dunkin’ and Baskin-Robbins location opened this month in the Arrivals level baggage area of O’Hare’s renovated and expanded Terminal 5, serving coffee, specialty beverages, breakfast sandwiches and ice cream 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Gallery ORD, a new luxury retailer from Dufry, also opened this month in Terminal 5 near gates M14 and M16. The store, open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., offers a selection of designer sunglasses and brands including Chanel, Gucci, Armani Exchange, Louis Vuitton and more.

A pre-owned luxury bag selection also offers customers an accessible and sustainable way to own luxury goods.

Fannie May, Hudson News & Gifts locations now open at Midway

New at Midway this month is an airport outpost of local favorite Fannie May, which has been selling its gourmet chocolates to Chicagoans since 1920. The shop is located near Gate A5 and is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

A new Hudson News & Gifts shop is also open in the baggage claim area, offering snacks, beverages, books, magazines, apparel, souvenirs, electronics and more. The store is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Teenage One Summer Chicago participants tour O'Hare

Young Chicagoans visited O’Hare on July 16, where they attended a presentation by CDA staff describing aviation industry careers. Afterward, the group toured Terminal 5, stopping by Bar Siena to hear speakers explain the work of airport concessionaires.

The day trip was co-hosted by World Business Chicago and Mayor Johnson’s One Summer Chicago program. Together, these entities work to educate young people ages 16-18 about future careers paths across various industries.

The stop at O'Hare was part of a two-day citywide tour that also included visits to the operations of Eli’s Cheesecake Company, local incubator 2112, food vendor Farmer’s Fridge, manufacturer Freedman Seating and 3D printmaker MassPersona.

• American Airlines: ORD to Bangor, ME (BHR) 1x daily service began on July 22.
• Spirit Airlines: ORD to Detroit, MI (DTW) 1x daily service begins on Aug. 14.
• United Airlines: ORD to Tucson, AZ (TUS) 1x daily service returns on Aug. 19.
• Southwest Airlines: MDW to Philadelphia, PA (PHL) increases to 5x daily on Aug. 4.