Roberta Aguirre
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. The airport was originally known as the Municipal Airport but was renamed Chicago Midway Airport in 1949 to commemorate the Battle of Midway. Today, Midway Airport is one of the busiest airports in the nation and the second busiest in both the Chicago metropolitan area and Illinois.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Established | 1927 |
| Renamed | July 1949 |
| Renamed after | Battle of Midway |
| Location | Southwest side of Chicago, Illinois |
| Distance from Chicago's Loop business district | 12 miles |
| Communities | Clearing and Garfield Ridge |
| Streets | 55th and 63rd Streets, Central and Cicero Avenues |
| Former name | Municipal Airport |
| Former name rationale | Owned by the city |
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What You'll Learn
Chicago Midway International Airport was established in 1927
The history of Midway Airport dates back to the late 1920s when it was established as a central hub for aviation in the region. Over the years, it has undergone various expansions and renovations to accommodate the growing aviation industry and passenger traffic. Midway Airport played a significant role in establishing Chicago as a major transportation hub, especially during the 1930s. During this time, it experienced significant growth and even surpassed New York's LaGuardia Airport in terms of passenger traffic in 1948, a title it held until 1960.
Before being named Midway Airport, it was known as the Municipal Airport. The name "Chicago Midway Airport" was proposed by the Chicago Aero Commission to distinguish it from the other city-owned airfields and to honour the decisive Battle of Midway during World War II. The airport was officially renamed in July 1949, and it saw 3.2 million passengers that year.
The airport has continued to expand and improve its facilities over the years. In 1996, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley announced the Midway Airport Terminal Development Program, which included the construction of a parking garage, a pedestrian bridge, and a new terminal building that opened in 2001. Midway Airport remains a crucial transportation hub, serving over 22 million passengers in 2023 and being a base for Southwest Airlines, which carries the majority of passengers at the airport.
Midway Airport has a rich history and has played a significant role in shaping Chicago's aviation landscape. Its establishment in 1927 marked the beginning of the city's growth as a major transportation centre, and it continues to be one of the busiest airports in the nation today. The airport's long-standing presence and ongoing development reflect the evolving needs of air travel and Chicago's position as a key aviation gateway.
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It was Chicago's primary airport until 1944
Chicago Midway International Airport, originally known as Chicago Air Park, opened in 1927. It became the city's primary airport until 1944, playing a crucial role in the development of aviation in the region. The airport's history is deeply intertwined with the growth of commercial aviation and the emergence of Chicago as a major transportation hub.
During its early years, Midway Airport was a bustling center of activity. It served as a key airfield for mail delivery and was also utilized by the United States Army Air Corps. The airport quickly became a hub for early commercial airlines, with carriers such as United Airlines and American Airlines establishing operations there. In 1929, the airport was renamed Chicago Municipal Airport to reflect its growing importance to the city.
The airport underwent significant expansions and improvements over the years to accommodate the increasing demand for air travel. By the early 1930s, it had four paved runways and a large hangar, making it one of the most modern and well-equipped airports in the country. The Art Deco-style administration building, constructed in 1931, remains a landmark to this day and is a reminder of the airport's rich history.
As the airport continued to expand, it attracted more airlines and became a vital gateway to the Midwest. It handled a growing number of passengers and cargo, connecting Chicago to other major cities across the United States. The airport's strategic location and efficient operations solidified its position as Chicago's primary airport until the mid-1940s.
However, with the onset of World War II, the airport's focus shifted temporarily. It became a vital military airfield, known as Chicago Municipal Airport No. 1, supporting the war effort. The airport was used for training purposes and as a stopover for military aircraft. During this time, commercial operations continued but at a reduced scale.
By 1944, with the war still ongoing, the decision was made to construct a new airport to serve Chicago's growing aviation needs. This led to the development of what we know today as Chicago O'Hare International Airport. While Midway Airport continued to operate, its role as Chicago's primary airport came to an end, marking a significant turning point in the history of aviation in the region.
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The airport was named after the Battle of Midway
Chicago Midway International Airport, established in 1927, was named after the famous Battle of Midway. Initially known as the Municipal Airport, the Chicago Aero Commission proposed renaming it Chicago Midway Airport in 1949. This proposal was supported by a majority of the city council's aviation committee members, who considered the name inspiring and descriptive.
The name "Chicago Midway" was chosen to commemorate the decisive Battle of Midway during World War II. The battle was a significant victory for the United States against Japan and is considered one of the most important battles in world history. The new name also served to distinguish the airport from other municipal airfields in the city and to avoid the negative connotations associated with the word "municipal."
The airport has a rich history and played a crucial role in establishing Chicago as a major transportation hub. By the 1930s, Midway Airport had become one of the busiest airports in the world, offering 47 weekday departures by various airlines. The airport underwent significant expansion during this decade, adding new runways and safety features, such as radio beams and marker signals, to accommodate the increasing air traffic.
The expansion of Midway Airport was a significant project, funded in part by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) with a contribution of $1 million. The airport expanded to fill a square mile between 1938 and 1941, becoming a safe landing zone for all weather conditions. This expansion included rerouting the Chicago and Western Indiana Railroad tracks, which previously crossed the square along the northern edge of the airport.
Today, Chicago Midway International Airport remains a busy and important aviation hub, serving millions of passengers each year. The name "Midway," a reminder of a pivotal battle, has become synonymous with the airport's long-standing contribution to Chicago's aviation landscape.
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It is located approximately 12 miles from Chicago's Loop business district
Chicago Midway International Airport is located approximately 12 miles from Chicago's Loop business district. The airport is on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois, and is divided between the Clearing and Garfield Ridge communities.
The airport was established in 1927 and served as Chicago's primary airport until 1944 when O'Hare International Airport opened. In the 1930s, the airport underwent construction to expand and add new runways for safer travel. It was known as the Municipal Airport before it was renamed Chicago Midway Airport in 1949 to commemorate the Battle of Midway. The name change was proposed by the Chicago Aero Commission, who felt that ""Municipal" was a clumsy, uninspiring word often associated with uninspiring objects.
The airport has continued to undergo significant developments over the years. In 1996, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley announced the Midway Airport Terminal Development Program, which was the largest public works project in the state at the time. The program included the construction of a parking garage, a pedestrian bridge, and a new terminal building, which opened in 2001.
Today, Chicago Midway International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the nation and the second busiest in the Chicago metropolitan area and Illinois state. It served 22,050,489 passengers in 2023 and is a base for Southwest Airlines, which carries over 90% of the airport's passengers.
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The airport has undergone several expansion projects
Chicago Midway International Airport, located on the southwest side of Chicago, Illinois, was established in 1927. It served as Chicago's primary airport until 1944 when O'Hare International Airport opened. Midway Airport has since undergone several expansion projects and remains one of the busiest airports in the nation.
In the 1930s, the airport underwent construction to expand and add new runways, making it a safe landing zone for all weather conditions. This included adding radio beams and marker signals with lights. By the late 1930s, the airport had expanded to fill a square mile, and in 1939, it recorded 47 weekday departures. During this time, it was known as the Municipal Airport, and it held the top spot for the most-travelled airport in the world.
In 1949, the airport was officially renamed Chicago Midway Airport, commemorating the Battle of Midway. That year, the airport served 3.2 million passengers.
In the 1960s and 1980s, Midway Airport experienced a lull, with fewer flights compared to the previous decades. However, it revived and continued to undergo expansion projects to enhance its facilities and capacity.
In 1996, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley announced the Midway Airport Terminal Development Program, which was the largest public works project in the state at the time. This expansion project included the addition of a parking garage, a pedestrian bridge, and a new terminal building, which opened in 2001. The new terminal offered larger ticket counters, spacious baggage claim areas, and easy access to gates.
The airport continues to build upon the legacy of its early expansions, solidifying its position as a significant transportation hub in Chicago.
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Frequently asked questions
Chicago Midway Airport was established in 1927.
Before it was called Midway Airport, it was known as the Municipal Airport.
In 1949, the airport was renamed Chicago Midway Airport after the Battle of Midway.
Yes and no. Midway Airport was one of the busiest airports in the world in the 1930s and 1940s. However, it saw fewer flights between the 1960s and 1980s. Today, it is the second busiest airport in the Chicago metropolitan area and the state of Illinois.
