Rahm Emanuel, mayor of Chicago, and airline operator American Airlines have announced that five new gates will be added to Chicago O’Hare International Airport in Illinois, USA, by 2018. It will be the first major expansion of gate capacity at the airport since Terminal 5 was built in 1993.
The agreement builds on the airport’s US$1.3bn infrastructure plan, which will help create thousands of jobs and improve the passenger experience at the airport. The additional gates will be located in Terminal 3 and will be completed by 2018.
Emanuel said, “Chicago’s economic future is linked to the success and growth of O’Hare, and the steps we are taking are part of our long-term plan to bring the airport into the 21st century. This agreement is a win for our city, our airline partners and most importantly, the thousands of passengers who rely on O’Hare on a daily basis. These new gates will help make O’Hare not only the busiest, but also the best airport in the world.”
Ginger S Evans, commissioner for the Chicago Department of Aviation, said, “O’Hare airport is moving in to the 21st century with the addition of these gates. Passengers will see fewer delays, shorter taxi times and an overall improved experience when flying to or from Chicago – which is our top priority at both O’Hare and Midway airports. I want to thank American Airlines for its forward-thinking approach and its strong desire to improve operations and the customer experience here in Chicago, and around the world.”
Michael Minerva, vice president – government and airport affairs, American Airlines, said, “These new gates, in addition to the airfield improvements announced already, signify a major investment American Airlines is making in our customers and employees at O’Hare. Growing our footprint will allow us to grow our operation and better serve the Chicago community. We’d like to thank mayor Emanuel and commissioner Evans for their continued leadership and dedication to improving the customer experience at O’Hare.”