CHICAGO – The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) announces that airlines anticipate more than 1.7 million passengers will travel through O’Hare and Midway International Airports for the Labor Day travel period beginning today, September 1 to Tuesday, September 6. Both of Chicago’s airports will see an increase in passenger volume over a comparable Labor Day travel period in 2015.

“This has been one of the busiest summers on record for air travel at Chicago’s airports and that trend will continue over the Labor Day holiday weekend,” said CDA Commissioner Ginger S. Evans. “We are coordinating closely with our airport partners to ensure passengers enjoy a smooth and efficient travel experience from the curb to the gate at O’Hare and Midway.”

Passenger volume at O’Hare is expected to exceed 1.3 million during the six-day travel period, an increase of five percent over 2015. Midway will welcome nearly 416,000 passengers, an increase of four percent over last year. The busiest travel day at O’Hare is projected to be Friday, September 2, with more than 251,000 passengers. At Midway, airlines anticipate that today will be the busiest day, with more than 76,000 passengers.

Live entertainment will be featured at Midway on Friday, September 2 from 2 – 5 p.m. in the baggage claim area, and in the domestic terminals at O’Hare. Airport ambassadors at Midway will offer complimentary lemonade to passengers on Friday, September 2 and Tuesday, September 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.