Summary
- American and United Airlines are participating in Chicago O’Hare Airport’s Global Terminal project, which aims to modernize the airport.
- The project, funded by airline fees, will double the size of Terminal 2 and enhance passenger experience with new amenities.
- Airlines and city officials are committed to working together to ensure the project stays within budget and maintains O’Hare’s global status.
Two of America’s major carriers have agreed to support extensive renovations at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) for a major rebuilding project. Dallas-based American and Chicago-based United have signed off on the upgraded Terminal Area Project. The city of Chicago proposed changing the construction order for the proposed Global Terminal, which is connected to nearby satellite concourses.
More recently, neither airline had been fully onboard with the rebuild plans due to rising costs and concern that future budget issues would plague the airport. However, it now appears that both carriers have accepted the airport’s new construction plan to focus predominantly on the new Global Terminal. At the same time, the two satellite courses will be delayed initially. Following the decision, American Airlines released this statement:
“The path ahead will be challenging, and we’ll all need to continue working together to get this project completed within the allotted budget. Keeping our customers, team and the enduring vitality of our Chicago hub at top of mind, we extend our steadfast commitment to working together with all stakeholders to deliver a modern airport that Chicago will be proud of – while keeping the project moving forward and vigilantly monitoring cost to preserve O’Hare’s status as an important connecting hub in our global network.”
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Two major carriers are now onboard.
AA and UA, which have extensive operations at the airport, initially signed off on the $8.5 billion creation of the Global Terminal in 2018. Since then, the airport has already seen extensive investment, including the opening of Terminal 5, one of the most significant projects undertaken at the airport since 1993. Last month, work started on a $300 million upgrade to the airport’s Terminal 3.
The airlines had until May to review the airport’s latest proposal, which they have now agreed to after expressing concerns about spiraling costs. United Airlines also made this statement following the decision:
We are excited to move forward on this project so our customers traveling to and from Chicago can enjoy the benefits. We look forward to collaborating with the Mayor and his aviation department on the budget, scope and design of the project so that together, we can not only deliver the modernized airport envisioned in the 2018 lease contract but also ensure O’Hare’s future financial stability and competitiveness for years to come.”
What’s next?
Predominantly funded by airline fees, the development had been delayed for several years due to increasing construction costs, which pushed its completion date from 2026 to 2032. However, once the upgrade is complete, it is expected to be one of the continent’s most cutting-edge airport facilities.
Doubling the size of the existing Terminal 2, it will have a light-filled arrival hall, state-of-the-art baggage systems, co-location of domestic and international arrival gates, more room for concessions, lounges, and amenities, and the ability for airlines in alliances to consolidate operations in shared facilities.
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Chicago O’Hare International Airport
- IATA/ICAO Code:
- ORD/KORD
- CEO:
- Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) Commissioner Jamie Rhee
- Runways :
- 4L/22R – 2,286m (7500 ft) |4R/22L – 2,461m (8075 ft) |9L/27R – 2,286m (7500 ft) |9C/27C – 3,428m (11,245 ft) |9R/27L – 2,428m (7,967 ft) |10L/28R – 3,962m (13,000 ft) |10C/28C – 3,292m (10,801 ft) |10R/28L – 2,286m (7500 ft)
- Airlines:
- American Airlines, United Airlines
- Country:
- United States
- Passenger Count :
- 54,020,339 (2021)
- Terminals:
- Terminal 1 |Terminal 2 |Terminal 3 |Terminal 5
