O\'Hare International Airport Chicago, Illinois

O'Hare International Airport

Chicago, Illinois

O'Hare International Airport

The bustling Chicago airport -- O'Hare International Airport -- is one of the busiest in the world -- the second busiest behind Atlanta -- and it has an interesting contemporary profile as well as a fascinating history. This paper will report on O'Hare's history, finances, marketing, services, noise abatement, redevelopment program, and other issues related to its presence in Chicago.

History and Development

O'Hare was named after Lieutenant Edward O'Hare. He was a navy pilot who was killed at the age of 29 in World War II. According to the Chicago O'Hare Airport History (www.airwise.com) it appropriate that the airport is named after Lieutenant O'Hare -- who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1942 -- because it was a big part of the WWII story. The Douglas C-54, which at that time was the largest troop and cargo-carrying plane was built on site at what is now O'Hare (but then was known as Orchard Field). After WWII, the main airport in the Chicago area was Midway, but "a far-sighted City Council" looked ahead and believed that a second airport would be needed for Chicago and hence, the city bought Orchard Field from the United States Government in 1946 (www.airwise.com).

The airport was purchased along with 7,000 acres adjacent to the airport, and in 1949 officials paid $2.4 million to acquire still more land -- a very wise decision in light of the need to expand O'Hare more than once since then -- and it was named O'Hare after the lieutenant at that time. The Midway airport was busier than O'Hare for several years; in fact O'Hare didn't open up to commercial air travelers until 1955 but even in 1959 Midway served 10 million passengers compared with 2 million passengers at O'Hare.

When O'Hare needed its first expansion, then Mayor Richard Daley raised $155 million for that expansion "selling revenue bonds" (www.airwise.com). And by 1962 "all scheduled operations had been transferred from Midway to O'Hare"; in 1963 President John Kennedy dedicated the airport and referred to it as "one of the wonders of the modern world."

Administration and Organizational Structure

The agency that administers O'Hare is the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA). The airports (Midway and O'Hare) are both owned by the City of Chicago. The CDA makes it clear on their Web site pages that it is "…self-supporting, using no local or state tax dollars for operations or capital improvements at O'Hare and Midway… Chicago's airports generate more than $45 billion in annual economic activity and create 540,000 jobs for the region" (www.cityofchicago.org). The CDA has the responsibility to manage, plan, design, operate and maintain O'Hare, according to the Web site www.flychicago.com. The organizational structure of the CDA has a Commissioner at the top of the chart, with an "Assistant to the Commissioner" just below the Commissioner, and a "Deputy Commissioner" just below the Assistant. Below those two is a "Staff Assistant." Directly under the Commissioner is the 1st Deputy Commissioner; that individual works directly with the "Director of Marketing Airline Affairs," "Projects Administrator" and "Assistant to Commissioner" (City of Chicago).

The CDA Commissioner is Rosemarie S. Andolino; in her welcoming narrative she lists many awards that O'Hare has received in recent years, and talks about the O'Hare Modernization Program (OMP). She also alludes to recent developments, including the removal of graves from a cemetery the airport recently purchased as part of a runway expansion.

FAA Information: O'Hare is ORD; elevation 672 feet above sea level; O'Hare is 14 miles NW of Chicago, Illinois; Central Time Zone; Zip Code: 60018. Airport Communications: UNICOM: 122.95; Phone [HIDDEN]; TOWER: 127.925

Aviation Statistics -- Passenger, Air Cargo

Through the month of March, 2010, O'Hare listed data on the year 2010 "to date" and those data included: 137,340 domestic flights on commercial aircraft; 38,110 flights on commuter aviation; 1,873 cargo flights; 19,738 international flights; the total domestic and international and general aviation flights (including the category "miscellaneous") -- 203,332 flights.

The year to date in passenger volume (Domestic) includes: total revenue of $11,965,030. The year to date (International) passenger revenue: $2,325,929. Total for O'Hare in the first 3 months of 2010 (Domestic and International) revenues from passengers: $14,696,385. Total cargo tonnage (domestic and international) through the first three months of operations at O'Hare: 343,899.4 tons.

Total Passengers 2009: 64,397,782

Daily Arrivals -- Daily Departures

O'Hare processes about 2,300 flights per day and according to Carolyn Ride, in the media relations department, "about half are arrivals and half are departures."

Runway Data / Taxiways / April / Lighting Aids

According to AirNav.com, information provided and referenced here is courtesy of the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA). Runway 10/28 (13,001 x 150 ft), asphalt / concrete / grooved in "good condition"; weight bearing capacity (PCN 108/R/C/W/U) single wheel (100.0); Double Wheel (185.0); Double Tandem (350.0); runway edge lights (high intensity).

Runway 14R/32L (13,000 x 200 ft), asphalt/concrete/grooved, in good condition; weight-bearing capacity: PCN 108/R/C/W/U; single wheel (100); Double Wheel (185.0); Double Tandem (350); edge lights (high intensity); "Possible low level turbulence on AER 14R.

Runway 4R/22L (8,075 x 150 ft), asphalt/grooved/in good condition; weight-bearing capacity (PCN 108/R/C/W/U; single wheel (100), Double wheel (200); Double tandem (350); runway edge lights: high intensity.

Runway 9R/27L (7,967 x 150 ft), same condition, same weight-bearing capacity as previous runway.

Runway 4L/22R (7,500 x 150 ft), same condition, same weight-bearing capacity as previous runways.

Runway 9L/27R (7,500 x 150 ft), same condition, same weight-bearing capacity as previous runways.

Helipad H1 (200x100 ft), concrete surface, in good condition.

Operational Statistics: 2,317 arrivals and departures per day; 66% commercial; 33% air taxi; 1% transient general aviation; 1% military (12-month period ending June 30, 2009).

Airside facilities: Fuel by Signature Flight Support; $7.49 per gallon (full service); $6.50 (non-full service);

Terminals: International arrivals are received at Terminal 5. Terminal 1 has 51 gates on two concourses (Concourse B, 22 gates; Concourse C, 29 gates); Terminal 2 has 30 gates and two concourses (Concourse E, 16 gates; Concourse F, 14 gates); Terminal 3 has 80 gates and four concourses (Concourse G, 26 gates; Concourse H, 21 gates; Concourse K, 22 gates; and Concourse L, 11 gates). Terminal 4 is not in use for aircraft, but is used for buses, shuttles, and taxis. It is located beneath a parking garage.

Retail Establishments in O'Hare: At least 44 retail, banks and food-related businesses are available in O'Hare, from Aunti Anne's desserts to Wolfgang Puck's.

Airlines Serving O'Hare: Aer Lingus; AeroMexico; Air Canada; Air Canada Jazz; Air France; Air India; Air Jamaica; Air One; Alaska Airlines; Alitalia; All Nippon; American Airlines; American Eagle; America West; Asiana Airlines; Austrian Airlines; British Airways; BMI British Midland; Cayman Airways; Continental Airlines; Delta Airlines; Iberia Airlines; Japan Airlines; Jet Blue; KLM Royal Dutch; Korean Air; LOT Polish Airlines; Lufthansa; Mexicana; Northwest Airlines; Royal Jordanian; Scandinavian Airlines; Spirit Airlines; SWISS; TACA Airlines; Ted; Turkish Airlines; United Airlines and United Express; U.S. Airways; USA 3000; and Virgin Atlantic.

Hotels / Lodging: (short distances from airport; most less than 4 miles) Quality Inn O'Hare Airport; Wyndham O'Hare; Sheraton Gateway Suites Chicago O'Hare; Hampton Inn Chicago-O'Hare; Doubletree Hotel Chicago O'Hare Airport Rosemont; Baymont Inn & Suites -- O'Hare; Hilton Chicago O'Hare; Doubletree Hotel Chicago-Wood Dale/Itasca; Comfort Inn O'Hare; Wyndham Drake -- Oak Brook; Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Chicago O'Hare; four Points by Sheraton Chicago O'Hare Airport; country Inn Suites O'Hare South; Comfort Suites -- Chicago Lombard; La Quinta Inn Chicago Schaumburg; Chicago O'Hare Rosemont Travelodge.

Hotels / Lodging: (between 9 and 16 miles from airport) Wyndham Chicago; Millennium Knickerbocker; Congress Plaza Hotel; Hampton Inn & Suites Lincolnshire.

Ground Transportation Services: When the OMP is completed in 2015, according to www.Airport-Technology.com, the airport will have: 3,8000 new short-term parking spaces near the new west terminal; 3,200 new long-term parking spaces on the southwest side of the airport; additional parking lots for employees; an "automated people mover system" that will be secure; and it will have on-airport public roadways and service roadways.

In addition, the modernization program is expected to include "an inter-modal transportation hub" called "O'Hare Terminal 7"; this will actually be a new transportation hub that will improve access to the airport from suburbs, the city, and towns around the Midwest. There is a proposal to link this transportation hub to the high-speed rail service that is underway. Currently the airport is linked with CTA, Pace, Metra trains, and in the future there may be a subway station at the airport.

Other General Aviation and Reliever Airports: near to O'Hare is Midway Airport, a major venue closer to downtown and the Loop. But the "reliever airport" for O'Hare is Waukegan Regional Airport, about 35 miles north of Chicago. It has a 6,000-ft runway, ILS service, an air traffic control tower and a U.S. Customs Office. On hand at Waukegan Regional Airport are two runways -- the shorter one is 3,750 feet long. It dispenses 4 million gallons of fuel each year and is the "second busiest Illinois Airport for international arrivals. Its proximity to Chicago as well as Milwaukee makes it convenient for southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois travelers.

Noise Abatement Program: The O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission (ONCC) is composed of a number of regional communities and school districts (too many to mention in this research). According to the ONCC 2009 Annual Report noise complaints were "six times higher in 2009 compared to 2008" (www.oharenoise.org). There is an Airport Noise Management System which "collects, analyzes and processes data from…33 noise monitors around O'Hare, FAA radar data, weather data and noise complaints" (ONCC Home Page).

Like other airports, there are certain runways at O'Hare that the airlines are encouraged to use at nighttime -- to reduce noise and disturbance for residents in nearby communities. Beyond receiving and responding to noise complaints, O'Hare's ONCC has approved a sound insulation policy that "targets qualified multi-owner dwellings" (Gilligan, 2009). The ONCC has been installing soundproofing in homes since 1997, Gilligan reports. And as of about a year ago, 6,954 homes and 115 schools have been insulated for sound (costing about $500 million). The next step for ONCC in terms of soundproofing homes is to begin helping multi-owner homes (condominiums) reduce the noise from air traffic.

Moreover, some airlines are buying assets that are quieter than previous versions. The ONCC reports that American Airlines (AA has a hub at O'Hare) will be moving to a quieter airliner in the near future. AA is replacing its fleet of MD-80 aircraft with "new, environmentally friendly Boeing 737-800 airplanes. "Residents living near O'Hare International can look forward to quieter aircraft overhead," the ONCC report states.

As further evidence that Chicago and O'Hare are doing everything possible to mitigate the noise that inevitably results from take-off and landing of big commercial jetliners, the O'Hare Community Noise Resource Center has posted "Noise Abatement Signs" at five locations around the airport. This is done "to notify pilots that noise abatement procedures are in effect" from 10:00 P.M. To 7:00 A.M. Central Daylight (and Central Standard) Time. Runways 32L, 27L, and 14R are those that are particularly problematic when it comes to noise disturbing nearby communities, according to www.flychicago.com.

Expansion Plans: O'Hare Modernization Program (OMP)

A major modernization program has been underway at O'Hare for several years. Called O'Hare Modernization Program (OMP), the program is Mayor Richard M. Daley's vision "for building a 21st century airport…at no coast to local or state taxpayers," according to www.cityofchicago.org. Three of the major projects are already completed: Runway 9L/27R has been extended and the North Air Traffic Control Tower. The Runway extension is underway; it is being modernized to accommodate the newer, larger aircraft like the Boeing 747-8 and the Airbus a-380. The program required a tremendous amount of preliminary moving of buildings, roads, houses, and there was a great deal of controversy during this process. The community of Bensenville has reached a deal with O'Hare and the City of Chicago and the demolition of many properties that have been acquired by Chicago has begun.

There were court cases brought against O'Hare by Bensenville and Elk Grove, which delayed the start of the project, albeit the OMP did get off the ground in September 2005. There is a lobbying group of citizens who are being displaced by the expansion called "Suburban O'Hare Commission"; their contention is that O'Hare should not have gone into a massive expansion program and instead Chicago should have built a completely new airport 45 miles south of Chicago at Peotone.

One of the main reasons for the urgency to expand the airport runways was a near-miss in August 2006, called a "runway incursion," this incident was avoided when the pilot of a Korean passenger liner swerved to avoid a Chinese transport plane; they missed each other by 75 feet.

Among the properties being disturbed by the OMP is the St. Johannes Cemetery. Graves are being dug up and -- while working closely with the next of kin of the deceased -- the city has purchased the cemetery (for $630,000) and is moving the graves. The cemetery was in the way of the construction of Runway 10C/28C. "The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) has developed a cemetery relocation plan and family assistance program to provide the utmost care and respect for the deceased and their surviving relatives. The CDA will pay necessary and reasonable costs associated with the cemetery relocation process" (Rodriguez, 2010).

Access to the cemetery during the disinterment process will be only for those family members of deceased. Meantime, for those deceased in the ground "who remain unspoken for" will be buried in a "nearby cemetery with a monument dedicated to their memory," Rodriguez writes in a press release (February 18, 2010). The court has appointed a "Special Master" to work with the St. Johannes church as to the disposition of those unnamed graves. As of February, 24 graves have been "voluntarily relocated to nearby cemeteries with the assistance of the CDA Cemetery Relocation and Family Assistance Program" (Rodriguez).

The OMP is scheduled to be completed by 2015, though some parts of the expansion won't be completed until 2018, according to www.airport-technology.com. The project is set to cost about $15 billion, and the airport officials insist no local or state tax money is involved, however, federal dollars are being used from the "Stimulus Package" passed by Congress in 2009, which of course is taxpayer money. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and Mayor Richard M. Daley got a $12.3 million grant from the federal economic stimulus package.

Reasons for the upgrade include the fact that "all but one of the seven runways on the 7,300-acre airport intersect," and when bad weather hits the airport "more runways are being closed than if the runways were laid out in a better configuration" (Airport-Technology).

When winter weather or summer thunderstorms close down runways at O'Hare, it has a ripple effect; it can cause "major disruptions" in air travel throughout the country because of the number of flights that go through O'Hare. The expansion is expected to reduce delays due to weather by 79%; also, some $18 billion is expected to be pumped into the local economy due to the 195,000 jobs that the OMP has created. Whereas in 2004 O'Hare had 929,000 total aircraft operations, when the OMP is completed that number is expected to accommodate about 1.6 aircraft operations and up to 76 million "enplanements a year" (Airport-Technology).