CHICAGO – The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) announced today that it expects to welcome more than 5.7 million passengers to travel through O’Hare and Midway International Airports for the Christmas and New Year holiday travel period from Friday, December 14 through Wednesday, January 3, 2019.

Passenger volume is projected to increase at both O’Hare and Midway compared to last year’s holiday by 4.2 percent, based on ticket information available through Chicago’s airline partners.

“Chicago’s airports are prepared once again to ensure safe and happy travels for the millions of people visiting Chicago or on their way to family this holiday season,” said Jamie L. Rhee, CDA Commissioner. “With record travel volumes experienced throughout 2018, I applaud our CDA operations staff, airline partners and the TSA for working hard to get passengers to their destinations safely and efficiently.”

Friday, December 21, is again projected to be the busiest travel day at both airports with nearly 240,000 passengers at O’Hare and more than 70,000 at Midway. Overall passenger traffic at O’Hare is expected to increase by nearly five percent, to more than 4.3 million passengers over the comparable period in 2017. Airlines at Midway anticipate a 1.9 percent increase in passenger volume compared to 2017, with more than 1.4 million passengers anticipated over the holiday period.

HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES:

Both airports are decked out in holiday spirit, with an assortment of lights, ornaments, wreaths and other décor lining the terminals from floor to ceiling to welcome passengers. The CDA and its concessionaires will bring holiday cheer to O'Hare and Midway through between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. from now through December 31. O’Hare will feature seasonal music and character performances, including carolers, on the 14, 20 and 24; with Midway bringing festive music and local carolers into the airport on December 14, 18, 20, 21, 24, 27, 28 and 31. Additionally, Midway will have Pop-Up Holiday Shopping in the Central Market and provide complimentary hot cocoa to passengers on December 21. Gift-wrapping services will also be available at Midway on December 21.

HOLIDAY SHOPPING/DINING:

The CDA encourages travelers to visit new and timeless favorite concessions offerings at O’Hare and Midway—including the new Concourse A Food Hall at Midway; as well as dozens of award-winning restaurants and shops at O’Hare. Just in time for the holidays: Midway will open new snack shop Fuel Bar near Gates A4A/A4B; with a new Hudson Newsstand opening on Concourse A, near Gate A5.  These new brands are part of the 70 new food and retail brands coming to Midway by 2020 as part of a major concessions redevelopment.

Additionally, many retailers will be offering seasonal gifts and special promotions. To learn more, visit flychicago.com for a map of all dining and retail choices at both airports.

TRAVEL TIPS:

The travel industry is predicting 2018 to be one of the busiest travel periods in over a decade, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Travelers are reminded to arrive at the airports two hours in advance of domestic flights, and three hours in advance of international flights.

Travelers can find a wide range of transportation options to make getting to the airports easier, including: public transportation, curbside shuttle services, limousines, taxicab and rideshare services. Train service on the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) via the Orange and Blue Lines provides passengers an affordable, efficient route between downtown and the airports, with service offered 24/7.

Both airports feature ample public parking capacity to serve passengers traveling this year. O’Hare has recently opened a new Economy Parking Lot F, located in the Multi Modal Facility, and featuring 2,600 covered parking spaces. Midway will feature LED signs directing passengers to access available parking off of Cicero, and will also provide shuttle service to move passengers quickly and efficiently to the terminal.

The O’Hare Airport Transit System (ATS) will operate 24 hours a day now through January 8, 2019. The expanded holiday schedule allows the CDA to accommodate travelers and to reduce traffic in and around the terminal core during the peak travel period. The ATS expansion and modernization program, underway now, will be complete in Fall of 2019. O’Hare users can look forward to a larger and more modern system to serve a modern O’Hare, with increased connectivity to carry passengers between the terminals, economy parking lots, and the new O’Hare Multi Modal Facility.

O’Hare’s Travelers Aid office will also feature special holiday office hours to assist passengers during the holiday rush. At Midway, Airport Ambassadors will be on hand to give directions and holiday cheer to everyone passing through the airport.

Travelers bound for Chicago’s airports this holiday season can make the most informed decisions about how to access any of the above airport services by visiting CDA’s website at www.FlyChicago.com. The website also contains real-time information on flights, regular updates on traffic and weather, real-time taxicab wait times, and other special alerts for the traveling public.