Routes Americas and the City of Chicago are excited to announce that Routes Americas 2023 will take place in Chicago from March 21 to 23. The annual event, which just completed its 2022 edition in San Antonio, TX, brings together airlines, airports and tourism authorities to discuss air service strategy and future networks. Over the past three years, more than 875 new air service across the Americas are connected to meetings at the event.

“Our airports are a gateway to the world,” said Chicago Mayor Lori E Lightfoot. “As we continue to build and recover from the pandemic, we are committed to investing in our airports and welcoming back travelers year after year.”

Having previously hosted the 2014 world route development forum, Routes World, Chicago Department of Aviation will be hosting the 16^th edition of the regional event serving the Americas next year.

Speaking at this year’s Routes Americas, Steven Small, director of Routes, said: “Renowned as a destination to do business, Chicago will be the perfect location to enable the air service development community to continue conversations that will be instrumental in defining future air connectivity. Routes Americas 2023 will provide a unique opportunity for the city to showcase the significant infrastructure developments to the region’s leading aviation stakeholders.”

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), which manages Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway International Airports, is sustaining recovery and growth through large-scale investment. The O’Hare 21 capital development program is a curb to gate transformation to meet the needs of the traveling public through the 21^st century and beyond. This includes the final phases of the recently completed O’Hare Modernization Program runway reconfiguration, which has reduced delays and now paves the way for terminal development. The current expansion of Terminal 5 – the largest terminal project at O’Hare since the terminal was originally built in 1993 – will open in phases through 2023. At Midway, the modernization program has doubled the security checkpoint throughput and enhanced the terminal parking garage. Additional updates to the concessions program feature local cuisine and low-touch retail options.

“Chicago’s airports play a unique role in the global aviation network and have long-served as economic engines and places of opportunity for our city.” Said Jamie Rhee, Commissioner, Chicago Department of Aviation. “We are excited to show Routes Americas attendees recent construction development and the investment in our airports' future, as well as the sights and attractions of our great city.” 

 “It is our pleasure to welcome Routes America to Chicago,” said Glenn Eden, Board Chair for Choose Chicago. “We’ve earned our title as The Best Big City in the U.S. because we are a great destination for business or pleasure. We look forward to showing the attendees of Routes America the best of Chicago.”

Routes Americas will take place on 21-23 March 2023 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk.

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About the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA): The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) is self-supporting, using no local or state tax dollars for operations or capital improvements at O’Hare and Midway International Airports. Chicago’s airports offer service to over 260 nonstop destinations worldwide, including 47 foreign countries, combined. Together, Chicago’s airports serve more than 105 million passengers each year and generate approximately $60 billion in annual economic activity for the region. Please visit www.flychicago.com to learn more about the Chicago Department of Aviation.

About Routes Events: Routes Events, part of Aviation Week Network, are unique annual forums dedicated to the development of new air services. Regional route development forums are held in the Americas, Asia, Europe and Africa/Middle East. The flagship Routes World event takes place in October. The events revolve around pre-scheduled meetings, an exhibition and conference which are delivered in partnership with host stakeholders. Hosts tend to be a collaboration between airports, tourism authorities and investment partners (the bidding process takes place two to three years before the event takes place). For more information, please visit www.routesonline.com.