Roberta Aguirre
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is one of the largest airports in the world, serving as a major hub for domestic and international travel. The airport is owned and operated by the Chicago Department of Aviation, which is responsible for its management and development. With a commitment to continuous improvement, the Department has implemented various plans to enhance the airport's performance and facilities, including the O'Hare Modernization Plan in 2001, which aimed to address issues with delayed flights. The federal government's involvement is evident through funding initiatives such as bonds and airport improvement funds, indicating a shared responsibility for the airport's success. This raises the question: to what extent does federal jurisdiction impact the operations and decision-making at O'Hare Airport?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ownership | Chicago Department of Aviation |
| Management | Chicago Department of Aviation |
| Jurisdiction | Federal Aviation Administration |
| O'Hare Modernization Plan (OMP) | Funded by federal airport improvement funds |
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What You'll Learn
- O'Hare International Airport is owned by the Chicago Department of Aviation
- The airport was renamed after aviator Edward Butch O'Hare
- The airport was the first to be planned post-World War II
- O'Hare was ranked as one of the worst-performing airports in the US
- The Chicago Department of Aviation committed to an O'Hare Modernization Plan
O'Hare International Airport is owned by the Chicago Department of Aviation
O'Hare International Airport, located on the city's Northwest Side, is owned by the Chicago Department of Aviation. Covering 7,627 acres, the airport is considered the most connected airport in the US and the fifth most connected airport in the world. It is also the fourth busiest airport and the sixteenth largest airport in the world.
The airport was renamed after aviator Edward "Butch" O'Hare, the first recipient of the US Navy's Medal of Honor during World War II. O'Hare was the first major airport planned after the war and pioneered innovative designs, including concourses, direct highway access to the terminal, jet bridges, and underground refuelling systems.
The Chicago Department of Aviation is committed to continually improving and enhancing Chicago's airports. In 2001, the department committed to the O'Hare Modernization Plan (OMP), initially estimated at $6.6 billion. The plan was funded by bonds and federal airport improvement funds.
The Hilton Chicago O'Hare, located between the terminal core and the parking garage, is owned by the Chicago Department of Aviation and operated under an agreement with Hilton Hotels. The hotel is currently the only one on airport property. The Chicago Department of Aviation also owns and operates Midway International Airport, which was once nicknamed the "busiest square mile in the world."
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The airport was renamed after aviator Edward Butch O'Hare
O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, was renamed in honour of aviator Edward "Butch" O'Hare. O'Hare was a highly skilled US naval aviator who demonstrated exceptional abilities in aerial combat against the Japanese during World War II. He was the first naval aviator recipient of the Medal of Honor in World War II, awarded for his bravery in single-handedly engaging and shooting down five enemy aircraft.
Born on March 13, 1914, in St. Louis, Missouri, O'Hare showed exceptional promise as a pilot from an early age. After completing his naval aviation training in 1940, he was assigned to Fighter Squadron Three (VF-3) on board the USS Saratoga. O'Hare's natural talent and expertise in gunnery were quickly recognised, and he was mentored by Lieutenant John Thach, who emphasised gunnery in his training. In 1941, O'Hare was among over half of the VF-3 pilots who earned the "E" for gunnery excellence.
O'Hare's bravery and heroism were particularly evident in one of the most daring single actions in the history of combat aviation. On November 26, 1943, he led the US Navy's inaugural nighttime fighter attack launched from an aircraft carrier. Despite facing intense machine gun and cannon fire, O'Hare repeatedly attacked the enemy formation at close range, shooting down five enemy bombers and severely damaging a sixth. This valiant effort undoubtedly saved his carrier from sustaining serious damage. Unfortunately, O'Hare's own aircraft, a Grumman F6F Hellcat, was shot down during this mission, and neither he nor his plane were ever found.
In recognition of his extraordinary heroism and service, O'Hare was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. Additionally, the Chicago-area Orchard Field Airport was renamed O'Hare International Airport in his honour on September 19, 1949, six years after his death. The airport displays a Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat, similar to the one flown by O'Hare during his Medal of Honor action, as a tribute to its namesake. O'Hare is also memorialised at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii and Memorial Park Cemetery in Jennings, Missouri, further honouring his bravery and service to his country.
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The airport was the first to be planned post-World War II
O'Hare International Airport, also known as Chicago O'Hare International Airport, was the first major airport to be planned after World War II. It was built in 1944 as a successor to the Chicago Midway International Airport, which was once nicknamed the "busiest square mile in the world".
During the initial years, O'Hare Airport struggled to gain interest from the airlines that operated at Midway Airport. However, the jet age gave O'Hare much-needed traction due to the lack of infrastructure for jet aircraft at Midway. O'Hare Airport was designed with several innovative features, including concourses, direct highway access to the terminal, jet bridges, and underground refueling systems. The world's first jet bridge was built at the airport in 1958, and the first international terminal was also inaugurated that year. The expressway link, now known as the Kennedy Expressway, connected the airport to downtown Chicago by 1960, resulting in more operational interest from major airlines.
Before the construction of O'Hare Airport, the site was originally known as Orchard Place, a small German-American farming community. During World War II, the site was used as a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54 Skymasters (also known as C-54 military transports), requiring easy access to the workforce in Chicago, as well as railroads and a location far from enemy threats. In the mid-1940s, the site was renamed Orchard Field Airport and was assigned the IATA code ORD.
In 1949, the airport was renamed O'Hare Airport to honour Edward "Butch" O'Hare, the U.S. Navy's first flying ace and Medal of Honour recipient in World War II. O'Hare Airport has continued to undergo improvements and expansions over the years, including the O'Hare Modernization Plan in 2001, funded by federal airport improvement funds. Today, it is considered one of the world's most connected airports and serves as a hub for several major airlines.
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O'Hare was ranked as one of the worst-performing airports in the US
O'Hare International Airport, owned by the Chicago Department of Aviation, was ranked as one of the worst-performing airports in the US in official reports at the end of the 1990s. The ranking was based on the percentage of delayed flights, which was attributed to the airport's dangerous and inefficient runway design.
O'Hare's three pairs of angled runways were designed to allow takeoffs into the wind, but the intersecting runways posed safety risks and inefficiencies. In 1998, O'Hare was surpassed by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as the world's busiest airport. However, as of 2024, O'Hare offers non-stop flights to 249 destinations across multiple continents, making it the most connected airport in the US and the fifth most connected globally.
Despite its extensive flight connections, O'Hare has continued to rank poorly in customer satisfaction surveys. In 2021, it was rated last among 20 major airports in the US by J.D. Power's North American Satisfaction Study, scoring 772 out of 1,000 points. This ranking was based on factors such as long security wait times, crowded terminals, limited seating, and distant gate connections.
The Chicago Department of Aviation has shown commitment to improving O'Hare and enhancing the overall airport experience. In 2001, the department initiated the O'Hare Modernization Plan (OMP), a $6.6 billion project funded by bonds and federal airport improvement funds. O'Hare has a rich aviation history, having served as a fighter base for the US Air Force during the Korean War and pioneering innovative designs, such as concourses, direct highway and rail access, jet bridges, and underground refueling systems.
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The Chicago Department of Aviation committed to an O'Hare Modernization Plan
O'Hare International Airport, named after aviator Edward "Butch" O'Hare, is one of the most important transportation hubs in the world. In 2001, the Chicago Department of Aviation committed to an O'Hare Modernization Plan (OMP), recognising the need to improve the airport's performance and reduce delays.
The OMP, with an initial estimate of $6.6 billion, aimed to transform the airfield, reduce delays, and pave the way for future terminal redevelopment. The modernisation program included investments in increased gateway capacity, updated screening technology, and reduced airfield congestion. This was achieved through the coordination of various construction activities, including the expansion of the airport to the west and south, and the relocation of the Union Pacific Railroad mainline track.
The O'Hare Modernization Program is part of the larger O'Hare 21 capital program, reflecting Chicago's vision for a modern, efficient, and accessible international airport. The final phases of the OMP, with a total investment of $8.5 billion, will ensure that O'Hare remains a world-class airport, meeting the needs of travellers through the 21st century and beyond.
The Chicago Department of Aviation's commitment to the OMP demonstrates its dedication to continually improving and enhancing Chicago's airports. The modernisation of O'Hare International Airport will not only benefit travellers but also provide good jobs to the local community. The completion of the OMP construction marks a significant milestone in the airport's history, ensuring its status as a critical transportation hub.
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Frequently asked questions
The Chicago Department of Aviation.
Yes, O'Hare Airport is under federal jurisdiction as it was built on federal government property.
The Chicago Department of Aviation works closely with the federal government to improve and enhance O'Hare Airport. For example, the O'Hare Modernization Plan (OMP) was funded by bonds issued against an increase in federal passenger facility charges and federal airport improvement funds.
