Roberta Aguirre
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (IATA: ORD, ICAO: KORD, FAA LID: ORD) is the primary international airport serving Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is located on the city's Northwest Side, approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district. The airport is operated by the Chicago Department of Aviation and covers 7,627 acres (11.92 sq mi; 30.87 km2). O'Hare Airport started as a manufacturing base during World War II and underwent a major expansion after the war to meet the city's aviation needs. It became famous during the jet age and held the distinction of being the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Owner | Chicago, Illinois |
| Operator | Chicago Department of Aviation |
| Airport type | Public |
| Location | 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district |
| Area covered | 7,627 acres (11.92 sq mi; 30.87 km2) |
| History | Used as a manufacturing base during WWII, opened as an airport in February 1944 |
| Hub for airlines | United Airlines, American Airlines |
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What You'll Learn
Chicago O'Hare Airport is operated by the Chicago Department of Aviation
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is a major hub for aviation in the United States and worldwide. Located in Chicago, Illinois, it serves as the primary international airport for the city and the surrounding area. With a long history dating back to the 1940s, O'Hare Airport has undergone significant transformations over the years to become one of the busiest airports globally. The airport's operations and management fall under the purview of the Chicago Department of Aviation, ensuring smooth functioning and addressing the aviation needs of the city.
The Chicago Department of Aviation plays a crucial role in overseeing the day-to-day operations and long-term development of O'Hare Airport. This includes managing the airport's infrastructure, which covers a substantial area of 7,627 acres. The department is responsible for maintaining the runways, terminals, and other facilities to ensure a seamless travel experience for passengers and airlines alike. O'Hare's extensive infrastructure and facilities have expanded over time to accommodate the growing air traffic, with terminal expansions driven by the dominant airlines at the airport.
Recognizing the importance of O'Hare Airport to the city and the aviation industry, the Chicago Department of Aviation has committed to modernization initiatives. In response to performance issues in the late 1990s, the department embarked on the O'Hare Modernization Plan (OMP). This plan, initially estimated at $6.6 billion, aimed to enhance the airport's efficiency and address challenges related to delayed flights. The funding for this modernization plan was secured through bonds and federal airport improvement funds.
The Chicago Department of Aviation's management of O'Hare Airport extends beyond its physical infrastructure. The department also plays a pivotal role in fostering the airport's role as a hub for several airlines. Over the years, O'Hare has attracted major airlines such as Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines, which have established hubs at the airport. This has contributed to the airport's high volume of aircraft movements, averaging 2,520 per day in 2019, the most of any airport globally.
In summary, Chicago O'Hare Airport is operated by the Chicago Department of Aviation, which undertakes the critical tasks of managing the airport's infrastructure, ensuring efficient operations, and fostering its development as a prominent aviation hub. The department's commitment to modernization and expansion has solidified O'Hare's position as one of the busiest airports worldwide, catering to the aviation needs of Chicago and beyond.
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O'Hare was once the world's busiest airport
Chicago O'Hare International Airport is the primary international airport serving Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is located on the city's Northwest Side, approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district. The airport is operated by the Chicago Department of Aviation and covers 7,627 acres (11.92 sq mi; 30.87 km2).
O'Hare became famous during the jet age and was the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998. In 1966, the Federal Aviation Agency employed I. M. Pei & Associates to design a new air traffic control tower to accommodate the high volume of air traffic. During this time, O'Hare experienced rapid growth in infrastructure and facilities, with terminal expansions driven by the dominant airlines at the airport. Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines all established hubs at O'Hare, contributing to the airport's high traffic volume.
O'Hare's prominence as a global aviation hub can be traced back to its origins during World War II. Initially, the site served as a manufacturing base for military aircraft, with a focus on producing airplanes for the war effort at a safe inland location. After the war, the airport underwent a major expansion to meet the growing aviation needs of the city.
Despite being eclipsed by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in 1998 as the world's busiest airport, O'Hare continues to rank as one of the busiest airports worldwide. In 2019, O'Hare had 919,704 aircraft movements, averaging 2,520 per day, the most of any airport globally. This high volume is attributed in part to the large number of regional flights. O'Hare's infrastructure has continued to expand, with ongoing modernization plans to enhance the airport's performance and capacity.
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The airport was first a manufacturing base during WWII
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (IATA: ORD, ICAO: KORD, FAA LID: ORD) is the primary international airport serving Chicago, Illinois, United States. The airport is operated by the Chicago Department of Aviation and covers 7,627 acres of land.
During the initial years after WWII, the airport struggled to gain interest from airlines that operated at Midway Airport. However, by 1960, commercial business was picking up at the airport. The airport received the name Orchard Field Airport and the IATA code "ORD" in 1949, when it was renamed after US Navy aviator Edward "Butch" O'Hare. O'Hare became famous during the jet age, holding the distinction as the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998.
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O'Hare's infrastructure has expanded since the 1950s
O'Hare International Airport, one of the world's busiest airports, has indeed undergone significant infrastructure expansion since the 1950s, transforming it into a major aviation hub.
In the early 1950s, O'Hare was just a small airfield, known as Orchard Place, with a single runway and a few support buildings. It was originally intended as a manufacturing facility for Douglas Aircraft Company during World War II. However, the City of Chicago, led by Mayor Richard J. Daley, had a vision to develop it into a large-scale airport to replace the congested Midway Airport. The city acquired additional land surrounding the airfield, and construction began on what would become O'Hare.
The initial expansion plans in the 1950s and 1960s focused on building longer runways to accommodate larger jets and expanding the terminal facilities. By the end of the 1960s, O'Hare had four long runways and a modern terminal complex, enabling it to handle a growing number of passengers and cargo. The airport continued to evolve, and by the 1980s, it had added two more runways, further increasing its capacity.
One of the most significant infrastructure developments at O'Hare was the construction of the Control Tower and the Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility, which opened in 1996. This state-of-the-art air traffic control facility is one of the world's largest and most advanced, capable of handling over 2,700 flights per day. The tower stands at a height of 267 feet (81 meters), providing air traffic controllers with an unobstructed view of the airport and its surroundings.
In more recent years, O'Hare has continued to expand and modernize its infrastructure. Between 2005 and 2014, the airport underwent a massive $6 billion expansion project, known as the O'Hare Modernization Program (OMP). This project involved the construction of a new runway and the extension of two existing runways to further increase the airport's capacity and reduce delays. Additionally, new taxiways were built, and existing ones were reconfigured to improve efficiency and reduce aircraft taxi times.
Today, O'Hare International Airport covers an area of 7,200 acres (2,900 hectares) and boasts an extensive network of runways, taxiways, and terminal buildings. It serves as a major hub for several airlines and handles a significant amount of passenger and cargo traffic each year. The ongoing expansion and improvement of its infrastructure have solidified its position as one of the world's leading aviation hubs.
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The Federal Aviation Agency designed a new control tower in 1966
Chicago O'Hare International Airport, located in Illinois, is the primary international airport serving Chicago. The airport is operated by the Chicago Department of Aviation. O'Hare became famous during the jet age and held the distinction of being the world's busiest airport by passenger traffic from 1963 to 1998.
In 1966, the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) employed I. M. Pei & Associates to design a new air traffic control tower. This was a response to the rapid growth of air travel, which had outpaced even the most optimistic long-term projections. The number of aircraft operations at FAA's ATC towers had increased by 112% between mid-1959 and mid-1969, leading to concerns about airport safety and capacity. The FAA had already been working to improve air traffic control since its establishment in 1958. Early en route controllers tracked plane positions using maps, blackboards, and telephone communication with airline dispatchers and airport traffic controllers.
The introduction of radar technology in the years following World War II revolutionized air traffic control. The Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) began using radar to safely separate civilian flights, and by 1950, they were deploying the first Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR-1) systems. This technology allowed controllers to track aircraft positions more accurately and efficiently.
The FAA's new control tower, designed by I. M. Pei & Associates, was part of ongoing efforts to enhance airport safety and capacity in response to increasing air traffic at O'Hare. The tower would have utilized the latest advancements in air traffic control technology, including radar systems, to manage the growing number of aircraft operations at O'Hare International Airport.
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Frequently asked questions
The Chicago Department of Aviation owns and operates O'Hare Airport.
Yes, O'Hare Airport is owned by the Chicago Department of Aviation, which is a government body.
The Chicago Department of Aviation operates O'Hare Airport.
No, the airport was previously owned by the United States Air Force. In 1993, an agreement was made between the City of Chicago and the Department of Defense, and the airport came under the ownership of the Chicago Department of Aviation.
The Hilton Chicago O'Hare is the only hotel on airport property. It is owned by the Chicago Department of Aviation and operated by Hilton Hotels.
