LOCAL FAVORITES IN THE NEW T5

O’Hare welcomes Bar Siena, The Hampton Social to Terminal 5 

Representatives from the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) joined passengers and concessions partners at O’Hare International Airport on Jan. 16, as they cut the ribbon on the airport outposts of two popular local eateries: The Hampton Social and Bar Siena. Both are now open for business in Terminal 5.

The Hampton Social opened its flagship restaurant in 2015 in Chicago’s River North neighborhood and specializes in coastal-inspired food. O’Hare marks The Hampton Social’s sixth Chicagoland location. Bar Siena also opened its first location in 2015, located in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood. Bar Siena specializes in casual Italian fare.

Both restaurants are open at O’Hare seven days a week, with The Hampton Social (located near Gate M5) operating from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Bar Siena (located near Gate M34) from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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SERVING OUR SERVICE MEMBERS

Renovated USO Center now open at Midway

The CDA joined USO staff and military service members Jan. 17 to unveil the upgraded USO Midway Center in Concourse C at Midway International Airport. The completed renovations include fresh furniture, updated flooring, new appliances and revamped interiors, positioning the Center to serve as a home away from home for traveling service members and their families for decades to come.

The Center operates daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and provides unique amenities to those who serve, including a stocked kitchenette, a computer, printers, free Wi-Fi access, books, magazines and a lounge to watch TV and movies or play video games. The renovations expanded the center's capacity by 30%.

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CDA to host second O'Hare Airport Concessions Symposium Feb. 15

Join the CDA to learn everything you need to know about financing an airport concession business, building upon the knowledge gained and shared at the 2023 O’Hare Airport Concessions Symposium. Attendees will meet banks looking to work with small businesses, and learn the ins-and-outs of the concessions industry. This is a great opportunity to mingle with others interested in airport concessions opportunities and hear firsthand how lenders work with businesses in an airport context.

Space is limited, so register now!

CDA, City Colleges host Aviation Job Fair at Olive-Harvey College

Workforce ambassadors from the CDA and employers at both airports joined City Colleges of Chicago on Jan. 31 for an Aviation Career Fair at Olive-Harvey College. The event was free and open to recent graduates, mid-career professionals and anyone interested in pursuing a career in aviation.

Students and jobseekers had the opportunity to meet with professionals and leading companies in the industry to network, explore career paths and discover the latest trends in the aviation industry.

Waiting for your next career move to take off? Check out the latest job openings with the CDA and with airport concessionaires.

Aer Lingus moves O'Hare operations to Terminal 3

Aer Lingus, Ireland’s flag carrier, moved its operations at O’Hare from Terminal 5 to Terminal 3 on Jan. 24.

New signage was posted in Terminal 5 after the move to direct passengers to the carrier’s new home in Terminal 3, which is accessible from Terminal 5 on the Airport Transit System (ATS). Serving O’Hare since 1966, Aer Lingus operates its service from Chicago to Dublin, Ireland, nine times a week, and will increase to 14 times weekly in March ahead of the summer travel season.

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CDA accepts 'Best Airport in North America' award for O'Hare

CDA Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee and First Deputy Commissioner Duane Hayden accepted the GT Tested Reader Survey Award for "Best Airport in North America" Jan. 31 on behalf of the entire O'Hare team. The award is presented by Global Traveler magazine.

This marks the 20th consecutive year the magazine's readers voted O'Hare as the continent's top airport.

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Hotel shuttle pick-ups at O'Hare are moving to Terminal 2 Arrivals curbside

Effective Feb. 1, all hotel and off-site parking courtesy shuttles at O’Hare will move their passenger pick-up operations from the Bus Shuttle Center to the Lower Level Arrivals area, located outside the Terminal 2 Baggage Claim. This move will conclude all operations at the Bus Shuttle Center, which will close once the move is completed.

Signs will be posted at the Bus Shuttle Center to direct passengers and employees to Terminal 2 for shuttle pick-ups, and signage for shuttle pick-ups throughout the terminals will be updated to reflect the move.

Some shuttles will continue to pick up passengers at Terminal 5. Passengers should contact their shuttle provider directly for more information on Terminal 5 pick-ups.

CDA staff wear blue for National Human Trafficking Awareness Day

The CDA proudly joined the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s “Blue Campaign” by wearing blue on Jan. 11 for National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.

Since 2007, the National Human Trafficking Hotline has identified more than 5,000 Illinois victims of this heinous crime. Anyone can be a victim of human trafficking, and CDA staff stood in solidarity with those victims on Wear Blue Day.

Learn more and join the mission to end human trafficking

NOW OPEN: Find fresh Chicago swag at ORD Terminal 3

Local clothing brand ChiBoys opened its first airport retail location this January in O’Hare’s Terminal 3, near Gate H6. The shop, open daily from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., offers a range of fashions that showcase the essence of Chicago, in addition to selling tech accessories and headphones.

Created by Chicago native DeShawn Murry, ChiBoys has an existing storefront in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood, a retail store and café on the Chicago Riverwalk, as well as a mobile clothing truck that has become a staple at festivals around the city.

Commissioner Rhee elected Vice Chair of international aviation group

Congratulations to Commissioner Rhee for being elected as Vice Chair of Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA)! ACI-NA is an advocacy organization representing local, regional and state governing bodies that operate commercial airports in the U.S. and Canada. Commissioner Rhee was elected to the group’s Board of Directors in 2021 and previously served as chair of the organization’s U.S. Policy Council.

Kevin Dolliole, Director of Aviation for Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, was selected as ACI-NA Chair for 2024.

DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ ONLINE!

Fact check: Airports don't sell unclaimed bags

An Internet scam recently made the rounds on social media, promoting an opportunity to buy unclaimed luggage at O'Hare. It's not true, and you should always contact your carrier with questions about misplaced luggage.

For more information about this scam, read a helpful Consumer Affairs article outlining and debunking the false claims.

Premier Parking now open at O'Hare's Main Parking Garage

Premier Parking is now available at O’Hare’s Main Parking Garage, providing passengers with the most direct access to Terminals 1 and 3.

For a $60 daily fee – which includes all taxes and fees – travelers can park less than 300 feet from Terminal 1 (the main departure terminal for United Airlines) or Terminal 3 (the main departure terminal for American Airlines).

To access Premier Parking, just follow signs for "Hourly Parking" when entering the garage and then follow the signs for "Premier Parking."

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• American Airlines: ORD to Charleston, South Carolina (CHS) new daily service starts on Feb. 17
• American Airlines: ORD to Harlingen, Texas (HRL) new weekly service starts Feb. 17
• United Airlines: ORD to Panama City, Florida (ECP) new weekly service starts on Feb. 17
• United Airlines: ORD to Athens, Greece (ATH) seasonal daily service starts on May 23
• Spirit Airlines: ORD to New Orleans (MSY) daily service starts on Feb. 8