Midway Airport: Which City Does It Serve?

Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is a major commercial airport located on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois. Established in 1927, Midway Airport was originally named Chicago Air Park and served as Chicago's primary airport until O'Hare International Airport opened in 1944. Today, it is the second-largest and one of the busiest airports in the Chicago metropolitan area, serving over 22 million passengers annually.

Chicago Midway International Airport's history

Chicago Midway International Airport is a major commercial airport located on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois. Established in 1927, it served as Chicago's primary airport until the opening of O'Hare International Airport in 1944.

Originally named Chicago Air Park, Midway Airport was built on a 320-acre plot in 1923 with a single cinder runway, mainly 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 significantly, boasting twelve hangars and four runways equipped for night operations. However, a major fire on June 25, 1930, caused extensive damage, destroying two hangars and 27 aircraft, resulting in a loss of over two million dollars.

Despite this setback, Midway Airport continued to play a crucial role in Chicago's aviation history. It served as the primary airport for the city until the opening of O'Hare International Airport in 1944. Even after being superseded by O'Hare, Midway remained an important aviation hub. By the late 1970s, the shorter north-south and east-west runway pairs were closed, with some converted into taxiways. The remaining four runways were strengthened and enhanced, retaining their original lengths.

In 2001, a significant milestone was reached with the completion of the terminal complex, featuring 43 gates and facilities for international passengers. This development cemented Midway's position as a major airport, providing convenient access to Downtown Chicago through the CTA rapid transit Orange Line.

In recent years, Midway Airport has undergone further enhancements. In 2004, the completion of the Terminal Development Program added 14 gates and improved the airport's infrastructure. Additionally, in 2010, a new walkway and food court were constructed in Concourse A, enhancing the overall passenger experience. Today, Chicago Midway International Airport covers just over one square mile, accommodating over 22 million passengers in 2023, making it one of the busiest airports in the nation and the second busiest in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Southwest Airlines' base at Midway

Midway International Airport, originally named Chicago Air Park, is a major commercial airport located on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois. It is approximately 12 miles (19 km) from the city's Loop business district and is divided between the Clearing and Garfield Ridge communities. Midway Airport was established in 1927 and served as Chicago's primary airport until O'Hare International Airport opened in 1944.

Midway is one of the busiest airports in the nation and the second-busiest airport in both the Chicago metropolitan area and Illinois state, serving 22,050,489 passengers in 2023. The airport is named after the Battle of Midway and is known by the codes MDW (IATA), KMDW (ICAO), and MDW (FAA LID).

Southwest Airlines has been operating out of Midway Airport since 1985 and the airport serves as one of its bases. Southwest carries over 90% of the passengers at Midway, offering direct flights to various destinations, including oceanside getaways and desert retreats. The airline provides low-fare flights starting at $59, with fares updated hourly. Passengers can easily access the airport by taking the "L" train's Orange Line, which runs from early morning to late at night with trains arriving at approximately 8-minute intervals.

The Orange Line connects Midway Airport to the Loop, traversing the southwestern section of Chicago. For those travelling during overnight hours, the N62 Archer bus service is available. The airport's convenient location and transport options make boarding a Southwest flight a seamless experience. Additionally, the Chicago "L" Orange Line terminal at Midway Airport was established in 1993, enhancing the airport's connectivity to the city.

The airport's busiest square mile

Midway International Airport, originally named Chicago Air Park, is located in Chicago, Illinois. It is the second-largest airport in the Chicago metropolitan area and is located approximately 10-12 miles from the city's business district. Midway is one of the busiest airports in the nation, serving over 22 million passengers annually.

The airport is situated in a densely populated urban area, with its runways and terminals occupying a mere square mile bounded by 55th and 63rd Streets, Central and Cicero Avenues. This compact layout contributes to the airport's high traffic and busy nature, earning it the title of the "World's Busiest" airport in 1932, with over 100,846 passengers on 60,947 flights.

Today, the airport continues to thrive as a major transportation hub, serving as a base for Southwest Airlines, which carries over 90% of the passengers at the airport. The airline's dominance at Midway has contributed significantly to the airport's high volume of passenger traffic. Additionally, the airport's efficient design and proximity to the city make it a convenient option for travellers, further adding to the buzz of activity within its square-mile boundary.

The busy square mile of Midway International Airport is a testament to the airport's efficient utilisation of space and its crucial role in facilitating travel to and from Chicago. The airport's history, dating back to the early days of aviation, and its continuous development have solidified its position as one of the nation's leading airports, catering to millions of passengers each year and offering a wide range of travel options, including international flights to destinations such as Toronto and Guadalajara.

Marketers and advertisers also recognise the unique characteristics of Midway's busiest square mile. The airport's diverse and affluent traveller profile, with a high proportion of decision-makers and well-educated individuals, presents a valuable opportunity for brands to reach a desirable audience. Clear Channel Outdoor (CCO) offers innovative advertising solutions, allowing businesses to engage with this exclusive audience and deliver impactful brand messages.

Chicago's primary airport before O'Hare

Midway International Airport, previously known as Chicago Air Park, was Chicago's primary airport before O'Hare International Airport. It is located on the southwest side of Chicago, approximately 12 miles (19 km) from the city's Loop business district. The airport is divided between the Clearing and Garfield Ridge communities and is bounded by 55th and 63rd Streets, Central and Cicero Avenues.

Midway Airport was established in 1923 on a 320-acre plot with a single cinder runway primarily used 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 significantly, boasting twelve hangars and four runways equipped for night operations. Despite a major fire in 1930 that destroyed two hangars and numerous aircraft, the airport continued to thrive. By 1932, it claimed the title of the "World's Busiest" airport, serving over 100,846 passengers on 60,947 flights.

As the demand for air travel grew, Chicago recognized the need for additional airport capacity. O'Hare International Airport, located on the city's northwest side, was established during World War II as an airfield serving a Douglas manufacturing plant for C-54 military transports. The site was chosen for its easy access to the workforce of Chicago, the nation's second-largest city at the time, as well as its proximity to railroads and distance from enemy threats.

In 1944, O'Hare International Airport opened to commercial airline service, surpassing Midway as Chicago's primary airport. However, Midway remained significant, with jet flights directed to O'Hare while lighter aircraft continued to operate from Midway. In 1955, O'Hare opened to airlines, and by 1962, the opening of its new terminal allowed airlines to consolidate their flights, solidifying O'Hare's position as Chicago's primary aviation hub.

Today, Midway remains one of the busiest airports in the nation, serving over 22 million passengers in 2023. It is a base for Southwest Airlines, which carries the majority of passengers through the airport. The airport's name honours the Battle of Midway, and it has played a pivotal role in Chicago's aviation history, earning its place as Chicago's primary airport before the expansion of O'Hare International Airport.

The airport's annual passenger numbers

Midway International Airport, originally named Chicago Air Park, is located in Chicago, Illinois. It is situated on the southwest side of the city, approximately 10 to 12 miles from the downtown business district. The airport was established in 1927 and served as Chicago's primary airport until O'Hare International Airport opened in 1944.

Regarding annual passenger numbers, Midway International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the nation. In 2023, it served around 22 million passengers, specifically 22,050,489. This makes it the second busiest airport in the state of Illinois and the Chicago metropolitan area. The airport is a base for Southwest Airlines, which carries over 90% of the passengers travelling through Midway.

Historically, the airport has experienced fluctuations in passenger numbers and airline operations. In the early 2000s, ATA Airlines expanded rapidly at Midway, becoming the dominant carrier before declaring bankruptcy in 2004. This led to a significant decrease in scheduled services from the airport. Vanguard Airlines also had a presence at Midway as a focus city from 1997 to 2000.

Midway International Airport has been recognised as the "Best Family-Friendly Domestic Airport" for three consecutive years. The airport caters to a diverse group of travellers, with an average income of $134,000 per year and 57% falling within the 25-54 age range. Additionally, frequent flyers at Midway tend to have higher education levels and include decision-makers for various businesses.

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