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Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is indeed located in Cook County, Illinois. It is one of the busiest airports in the United States, serving over 22 million passengers in 2023 alone. Midway Airport was established in 1927 and served as Chicago's primary airport until O'Hare International Airport opened in 1944. The airport is named after the Battle of Midway and is located on the southwest side of Chicago, approximately 12 miles from the city's Loop business district.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Chicago Midway International Airport |
| IATA | MDW |
| ICAO | KMDW |
| FAA LID | MDW |
| Location | Southwest side of Chicago, Illinois |
| County | Cook |
| Year Established | 1927 |
| Distance from Chicago's Loop business district | 12 miles |
| Number of aircraft gates | 43 |
| Number of concourses | 3 |
| Number of passengers served in 2023 | 22,050,489 |
| Primary airline | Southwest Airlines |
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What You'll Learn
Chicago Midway International Airport is located in Cook County, Illinois
Chicago Midway International Airport (IATA: MDW, ICAO: KMDW, FAA LID: MDW) is indeed located in Cook County, Illinois, approximately 12 miles (19 km) from Chicago's Loop business district. The airport is divided between the Clearing and Garfield Ridge communities of Chicago and is named after the Battle of Midway.
Midway Airport was established in 1927 and served as Chicago's primary airport until the opening of O'Hare International Airport in 1944. Despite the shift to O'Hare, Midway remains one of the busiest airports in the nation. In 2023, it was the second-busiest airport in both the Chicago metropolitan area and the state of Illinois, serving 22,050,489 passengers. Southwest Airlines, which has a base at Midway, carries over 90% of the airport's passengers.
The airport has undergone significant development over the years, including the addition of new concourses and ticket counters. In 1999, the Midway Airport parking garage opened, providing covered parking for the first time. This was followed by the construction of a pedestrian bridge over Cicero Avenue in 2000, connecting the new terminal to the concourses. In 2001, a new 900,000-square-foot terminal building opened, offering larger ticket counters, spacious baggage claim areas, and a short walking distance to the gates.
Chicago Midway International Airport has 43 aircraft gates across three concourses (Concourse A, B, and C). The Chicago Transit Authority provides convenient access to the airport via the Orange Line "L" and multiple bus routes. Additionally, Pace operates numerous bus routes, and River Valley Metro offers a commuter shuttle connecting the airport to Manteno and Bourbonnais in Kankakee County.
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It is one of the busiest airports in the US
Chicago Midway International Airport, located in Cook County, Illinois, is one of the busiest airports in the United States. Established in 1927, Midway served as Chicago's primary airport until the opening of O'Hare International Airport in 1944. Despite this, it remains one of the busiest airports in the nation, serving 22,050,489 passengers in 2023.
Midway is a major commercial airport located on the southwest side of Chicago, approximately 12 miles from the city's Loop business district. The airport is divided between the Clearing and Garfield Ridge communities and was named in honour of the Battle of Midway. With 43 aircraft gates across three concourses, Midway is a base for Southwest Airlines, which carries over 90% of the airport's passengers.
The airport has a long history, originally being named Chicago Air Park when it was built on a 320-acre plot in 1923. By 1928, the airport had expanded to include twelve hangars and four runways, and in 1930, a fire destroyed two hangars and 27 aircraft, causing over two million dollars in losses. Reconstruction efforts began in 1967, adding three new concourses and improving infrastructure. The city of Chicago invested $10 million in renovation funds, and in 1982, purchased Midway Airport from the Chicago Board of Education for $16 million.
Today, Midway Airport continues to be a bustling hub, offering convenient access to ticket counters and baggage claim areas. It is easily accessible via public transportation, with the Chicago Transit Authority operating the Orange Line "L" and multiple bus routes to the airport. Additionally, a pedestrian bridge over Cicero Avenue connects the new terminal to the concourses, ensuring a seamless travel experience for passengers.
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The airport is named after the Battle of Midway
Chicago Midway International Airport (IATA: MDW, ICAO: KMDW, FAA LID: MDW) is a major commercial airport on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois. It is located in Cook County, approximately 12 miles (19 km) from Chicago's Loop business district, and is divided between the Clearing and Garfield Ridge communities. The airport was established in 1927 and served as Chicago's primary airport until the opening of O'Hare International Airport in 1944.
The city of Chicago decided to name the airport after this important battle to honor the sacrifices made by US troops and to preserve their memory. The battle holds a significant place in US history, and naming the airport after it ensures that the bravery and valor of those involved are not forgotten. The defunct Midway Airlines, which was once headquartered at Midway Airport, also took its name from the airport.
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It was Chicago's primary airport until 1944
Chicago Midway International Airport, located on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois, served as Chicago's primary airport from its establishment in 1927 until 1944. Originally named Chicago Air Park, the airport was built on a 320-acre plot in 1923 with a single cinder runway intended primarily for airmail flights. In 1926, the city leased the airport, and on December 12, 1927, it was named Chicago Municipal Airport. By 1928, the airport had expanded to include twelve hangars and four runways, which were lit up for night operations.
During its early years, Midway Airport experienced significant growth and claimed to be the "World's Busiest" airport in 1932, with over 100,846 passengers on 60,947 flights. However, a major fire on June 25, 1930, caused substantial damage, destroying two hangars and 27 aircraft, resulting in a loss of over two million dollars. Despite this setback, the airport continued to play a crucial role in aviation in the region.
In 1944, Midway Airport's status as Chicago's primary airport came to an end with the opening of O'Hare International Airport. O'Hare initially opened to airlines in 1955, accommodating larger jet flights that Midway could not handle due to its shorter runways. Despite the competition from O'Hare, Midway remained a significant airport, serving as a hub for lighter aircraft and experiencing a period of diverse airline operations.
In the late 1960s, Midway Airport underwent reconstruction, adding new concourses, gates, and ticket counters. The city of Chicago also invested $10 million in renovation funds in 1968, demonstrating a commitment to the airport's continued development. In 1972, the airport was the site of a tragic crash, as United Air Lines Flight 553, a Boeing 737-200, crashed into a residential area during landing, resulting in 45 fatalities. Despite this tragedy, Midway Airport persevered and continued its operations, serving an increasing number of passengers over the years.
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The airport has 43 aircraft gates across three concourses
Chicago Midway International Airport, located in Cook County, Illinois, is a major commercial airport on the southwest side of Chicago. Established in 1927, Midway served as Chicago's primary airport until the opening of O'Hare International Airport in 1944. Despite this, it remains one of the busiest airports in the nation and the second-busiest in the Chicago metropolitan area and Illinois.
The efficient design of the concourses contributes to the smooth flow of passenger traffic. Concourse A, with its 17 gates, provides a convenient and comfortable experience for travellers. Similarly, Concourse B's 23 gates enhance the airport's capacity to handle a large volume of flights and passengers. While Concourse C has a smaller scale with only 3 gates, it still plays a vital role in the airport's overall operations.
The development of Midway Airport has been a dynamic process. In 1999, the Midway Airport parking garage opened, introducing covered parking for the first time. This was followed by the construction of a pedestrian bridge over Cicero Avenue in 2000, connecting the new terminal to the concourses. The year 2001 marked the opening of the new Midway Airport terminal building, boasting a spacious 900,000-square-foot layout with larger ticket counters, ample baggage claim areas, and convenient access to gates.
The expansion projects have significantly improved the airport's functionality and passenger experience. With its 43 aircraft gates across three well-designed concourses, Midway International Airport efficiently manages the high volume of passenger traffic it receives as one of the busiest airports in the nation.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Midway Airport is in Cook County, Chicago, Illinois.
Midway Airport was established in 1927 and served as Chicago's primary airport until 1944 when O'Hare International Airport opened.
Midway Airport is one of the busiest airports in the nation and the second busiest in both the Chicago metropolitan area and Illinois state. In 2023, it served 22,050,489 passengers.
Midway Airport has 43 aircraft gates across three concourses: 17 in Concourse A, 23 in Concourse B, and 3 in Concourse C.
The Chicago Transit Authority operates the Orange Line "L" and multiple bus routes to the airport. Pace also operates bus routes to the airport.
