Chicago O'Hare International Airport |
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IATA: ORD – ICAO: KORD – FAA: ORD | |||
Summary | |||
Airport type | Public | ||
Owner | City of Chicago | ||
Operator | Chicago Airport System | ||
Serves | ![]() |
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Elevation AMSL | 668 ft / 204 m | ||
Website | |||
Runways | |||
Direction | Length | Surface | |
ft | m | ||
4L/22R | 7,500 | 2,286 | Asphalt |
4R/22L | 8,075 | 2,461 | Asphalt |
9L/27R | 7,500 | 2,286 | Concrete |
9R/27L | 7,967 | 2,428 | Asphalt/Concrete |
10/28 | 13,000 | 3,962 | Asphalt/Concrete |
14L/32R | 10,005 | 3,050 | Asphalt |
14R/32L | 13,000 | 3,962 | Asphalt/Concrete |
Helipads | |||
Number | Length | Surface | |
ft | m | ||
H1 | 200 | 61 | Concrete |
Statistics (2006) | |||
Aircraft operations | 958,643 | ||
Passenger volume | 77,028,134 | ||
Cargo tonnage | 1,718,011 | ||
Sources: FAA[1] and airport's website[2]. |
O'Hare International Airport (IATA: ORD, ICAO: KORD, FAA LID: ORD), also known simply as O'Hare Airport or O'Hare, is a major airport located in the northwestern-most corner of Chicago, Illinois, United States, 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Chicago Loop. It is the largest hub of United Airlines (whose headquarters is in Downtown Chicago) and the second-largest hub of American Airlines (after Dallas/Fort Worth). It is operated by the City of Chicago Department of Aviation, associated with an umbrella regional authority.
In 2005, the airport had 972,246 aircraft operations, an average of 2,663 per day (64% scheduled commercial, 33% air taxi, 3% general aviation and <1% military).[1] Prior to 2005, O'Hare was the world's busiest airport in terms of takeoffs and landings. That year, mainly due to limits imposed by the federal government to reduce flight delays at O'Hare,[3] Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport became the busiest by that metric. O'Hare currently accounts for over a sixth of the nation's total flight cancellations.[4] O'Hare International Airport is the second busiest airport in both the United States and the world, behind Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport with 76,248,911 passengers passing through the airport in 2006; a -0.3% change from 2005. [5] O'Hare also has a strong international presence, with flights to more than 60 foreign destinations. O'Hare was ranked fourth in 2005 of the United States' international gateways, with only John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, Los Angeles International Airport, and Miami International Airport serving more foreign destinations.
O’Hare International Airport was voted the Best Airport in North America for the past nine years by readers of the U.S. Edition of Business Traveler Magazine (1998 - 2003), and Global Traveler Magazine (2004 - 2007), marking the tenth year in a row O'Hare has earned the top honor. [6]
Although O'Hare is Chicago's primary airport, Chicago Midway International Airport, the city's second airport, is about six miles closer to the Loop, the main business and financial district.
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The airport was constructed between 1942 and 1943 as a manufacturing plant for Douglas C-54s during World War II. The site was chosen for its proximity to the city and transportation. The two million square-foot (180,000 m²) factory needed easy access to the workforce of the nation's then-second-largest city, as well as its extensive railroad infrastructure. Orchard Place was a small pre-existing community in the area, and the airport was known during the war as Orchard Place Airport/Douglas Field (hence the call sign ORD). The facility was also the site of the Army Air Force's 803 Special Depot, which stored many rare or experimental planes, including captured enemy aircraft. These historic aircraft would later be transferred to the National Air Museum, going on to form the core of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum's collection.
Douglas Aircraft Company's contract ended in 1945, and though plans were proposed to build commercial aircraft, the company ultimately chose to concentrate production on the west coast. With the departure of Douglas, the airport took the name Orchard Field Airport. In 1945, the facility was chosen by the City of Chicago as the site for a facility to meet future aviation demands. Though its familiar three-letter IATA code ORD still reflects the early identity of the airport, it was renamed in 1949 after Lt. Cmdr. Edward "Butch" O'Hare, a World War II flying ace who was awarded the Medal of Honor. (See also: Illinois World War II Army Airfields)
By the early 1950s, Chicago Midway International Airport, which had been the primary Chicago airport since 1931, had become too small and crowded despite multiple expansions and was unable to handle the planned first generation of jets. The City of Chicago and FAA began to develop O'Hare as the main airport for Chicago's future. The first commercial passenger flights were started there in 1955, and an international terminal was built in 1958, but the majority of domestic traffic did not move from Midway until completion of a 1962 expansion of O'Hare. The arrival of Midway's former traffic instantly made O'Hare the new World's Busiest Airport, serving 10 million passengers annually. Within two years that number would double, with more people passing through O'Hare in 12 months than Ellis Island had processed in its entire existence. In 1997, annual passenger volume reached 70 million; it is now approaching 80 million. At this time of writing, United serves its flagship hub with 650 daily departures, but the carrier's utilization of O'Hare peaked at over 1,000 daily flights in 1994[7].
O'Hare Airport is municipally connected to the city of Chicago via a narrow strip of land, approximately 200 feet wide, running along Higgins Rd from the Des Plaines river to the airport. This land was annexed into the city limits in the 1950s to assure the airport was contiguous with the city to keep it under city control. The strip is bounded on the north by Rosemont and the south by Schiller Park.[2] The CTA Blue Line was extended to the airport in 1984.
1057 fatalities have occurred as a result of accidents en route to or from Chicago O'Hare. [3]
O'Hare's high volume and crowded schedule can lead to long delays and cancellations that, due to the airport being a major hub, can affect air travel across the United States. Official reports rank O'Hare as the least punctual airport in the United States based on percentage of delayed flights. In 2004, United Airlines and American Airlines agreed to modify their schedules to help reduce congestion caused by clustered arrivals and departures. Because of the air traffic departing, arriving, and near the airport, air traffic controllers at O'Hare and its nearby facilities are among the leaders in the world in terms of number of controlled flights per hour.
City management has committed to a $6 billion capital investment plan to increase the airport's capacity by 60% and decrease delays by an estimated 79 percent[16]. This plan was approved by the FAA in October 2005 and will involve a reconfiguration of the airfield and addition of terminal space. Four runways will be added and two decommissioned in order to give the airfield an eight-runway parallel 6+2 configuration similar to that in Dallas. This plan is essential in alleviating the airport's flight limits so that its passenger and cargo numbers will not be eclipsed by other airports.
The Modernization Plan is now under construction, and an additional runway and Air Traffic Control Tower were commissioned on November 20, 2008. The new north runway, designated 9L/27R, will initially serve as a foul weather arrival runway, addressing one of O'Hare's primary causes of delay. An extension of Runway 10/28 (formerly 9R/27L) to 13,000 feet was opened in September, 2008, facilitating the shortening and eventual closure of the equally long Runway 14R/32L.
Concept planning, presently unfunded, encompasses expansion of Terminals 3 and 5, and construction of a new west terminal with western access into the airport.
Some land acquisition is necessary for the modernization, requiring approximately 2,800 residents to be relocated. The program will expand the airport's capacity to over 3,800 operations per day, up from the present capacity of 2,700 and will vastly increase passenger throughput. It will also improve the ability of very large aircraft such as the A380 to operate.
Flight caps in place since 2004 will be allowed to expire on October 31, 2008. Ironically, American Airlines plans to eliminate over 60 daily flights at O'Hare because of soaring fuel prices. United has announced similar cutbacks. Recent worldwide economic difficulties further complicate the forecasts for airport demand.
existing runway new runway removed runway
The neighboring communities of Bensenville and Elk Grove Village have been centers of resistance to the expansion plan, in which some residents and businesses will be required to relocate. Bensenville and Elk Grove Village formed the Suburban O'Hare Commission [17] to fight the expansion. So far, they have not had much success. The commission did receive a temporary injunction against portions of the city's expansion project; however, it was soon overturned. The Suburban O'Hare Commission has also been instrumental in pushing for a third regional airport in south suburban Peotone, which it claims would alleviate congestion at O'Hare. However, no airline has committed to the proposed airport, and planning efforts moved very slowly during 2007-2008.
In 1995, the Chicago/Gary Airport Compact was signed by the cities of Chicago and Gary, Indiana, creating a new administration for the Gary/Chicago International Airport just across the state line. While markedly smaller than the proposed Peotone site, this airport already has more land and a longer main runway than Midway Airport. Gary is also many miles closer than Peotone to downtown Chicago. In addition public transportation is already in place to the Loop via the South Shore Line. Indiana and the FAA have provided significant funding for a Gary runway expansion, currently under construction.
Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) in Rockford, Illinois has also marketed itself as an alternative for congestion at O'Hare. However, it is at least a 1-1/2 hour trip to Rockford from the Chicago Loop. Currently there is no direct transportation service from downtown Chicago or O'Hare to the Chicago Rockford International Airport, but airline service at the airport continues to grow. Larry Morrissey, the current mayor of Rockford, has pushed for a high-speed rail connection between the two airports to make the Rockford airport a more convenient alternative to O'Hare.
General Mitchell International Airport (MKE) in Milwaukee, WI has consistently attempted to increase its usage by Chicago and Northern Illinois customers. There is a direct Amtrak rail service connecting Chicago with Mitchell Airport. The trains operate 7 round trips each day, taking under 75 min. from the Chicago loop.
O'Hare International has four passenger terminals. Two or more additional terminal buildings are envisioned. There is the possibility of a large terminal complex for the west side of the field, with access from I-90 and/or the Elgin-O'Hare Expressway, if the runway reconfiguration is completed.
United Airlines and United Express is the largest airline at Chicago O'Hare carrying 48.79% of the passengers. American Airlines and American Eagle is the second largest carrying 39.89% of passengers. [18]
For complete information on flights to and from Chicago O'Hare International Airport, please see the airport's website.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport provides 186 aircraft gates throughout 4 Terminals (1, 2, 3, 5) and 9 concourses (B, C, E, F, G, H, K, L, M)
Note: International Arrivals are handled in Terminal 5.
Terminal 1 provides 53 Gates on 2 Concourses:
Concourse B has 21 Gates: B1–B12, B14–B21, B22, B22(A,B)
Airlines | Destinations |
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United Airlines | Albany, Amsterdam, Aruba, Atlanta, Baltimore, Beijing, Boise, Boston, Bozeman [seasonal], Buffalo, Burlington (VT), Cabo San Lucas, Calgary, Charlotte, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Cancún [begins January 6], Cleveland, Columbus (OH), Cozumel, Dallas/Fort Worth, Dayton, Denver, Des Moines, Detroit, Fort Myers, Frankfurt, Grand Cayman, Grand Rapids, Harrisburg, Hartford, Hong Kong, Honolulu, Houston-Intercontinental, Indianapolis, Jackson Hole, Jacksonville, Kahului, Kansas City, Kona, Las Vegas [begins January 6], Liberia (CR) [seasonal], London-Heathrow, Los Angeles, Manchester (NH), Mexico City [begins December 18, ends January 5], Minneapolis/St. Paul, Miami [begins January 6], Montego Bay, Munich, New Orleans [seasonal], New York-LaGuardia, Newark, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Orange County, Orlando, Palm Springs [seasonal], Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Phoenix [begins January 6], Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland (OR), Providence, Puerto Vallarta, Punta Cana, Raleigh/Durham, Richmond, Rochester (NY), Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Juan (PR), São Paulo-Guarulhos, Seattle/Tacoma, Shanghai-Pudong, Singapore, St. Louis, St. Thomas, Tampa [begins January 6], Tokyo-Narita, Toronto-Pearson, Tulsa, Vancouver, Washington-Dulles, Washington-Reagan |
Ted operated by United Airlines | Cabo San Lucas [ends January 6], Cancún [ends January 6], Cozumel [ends January 6], Las Vegas [ends January 6], Miami [ends January 6], Orlando [ends January 6], Phoenix [ends January 6], Puerto Vallarta [Ends January 6], San Juan (PR) [ends January 6], Tampa [ends January 6] |
Concourse C has 32 Gates: C1-C12, C15, C16, C16A, C17, C18, C18A, C19-C32
United Airlines runs a shuttle service between Concourse C and Concourse F. The shuttles are accessed via stairways near Gate C-9 and Gate E-2A.
Airlines | Destinations |
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All Nippon Airways | Tokyo-Narita) |
Lufthansa | Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich |
United Airlines | See Concourse B |
United Express operated by GoJet Airlines | Albany, Burlington (VT), Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Grand Rapids, Greensboro, Jacksonville (FL) [seasonal], Manchester (NH) [seasonal], Oklahoma City, Omaha, Portland (ME), San Antonio, St. Louis, Syracuse, Tulsa |
United Express operated by Mesa Airlines | Allentown/Bethlehem, Akron/Canton, Atlanta, Appleton, Austin, Birmingham (AL), Boise, Buffalo, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Charleston (SC), Charlotte, Cleveland, Colorado Springs, Columbia (SC), Des Moines, Detroit, Green Bay, Greensboro, Greenville (SC), Kansas City, Madison, Memphis, Moline/Quad Cities, Nashville, Portland (ME), Raleigh/Durham, Roanoke, Rochester (NY), Savannah, South Bend, Springfield (IL), Syracuse, Traverse City, Tulsa, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton |
United Express operated by Shuttle America | Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Buffalo, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Columbus (OH), Dallas/Fort Worth, Des Moines, Edmonton, Fort Myers, Grand Rapids, Hartford/Springfield, Halifax, Houston-Intercontinental, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Louisville, Miami, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Montréal, New Orleans, New York-LaGuardia, Norfolk, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, Quebec City, Raleigh/Durham, Rochester (NY), San Antonio, Toronto-Pearson, White Plains) |
United Express operated by SkyWest Airlines | Akron/Canton, Allentown/Bethlehem, Appleton, Aspen [seasonal], Austin, Billings, Birmingham (AL), Boise, Bozeman, Calgary, Casper [seasonal], Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Charleston (WV, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Cleveland, Colorado Springs, Columbus (OH), Dallas/Fort Worth, Dayton, Des Moines, Detroit, Edmonton, Fargo, Fayetteville (AR), Fort Wayne, Grand Rapids, Hayden/Steamboat Springs [seasonal], Houston-Intercontinental, Indianapolis, Kalispell [seasonal], Kansas City, Knoxville, Lansing, Lexington, Lincoln, Louisville, Madison, Memphis, Milwaukee, Missoula, Moline/Quad Cities, Nashville, Norfolk, Omaha, Ottawa, Peoria, Pittsburgh, Providence, Rapid City [seasonal], Roanoke, Saginaw, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Savannah, Sioux Falls, South Bend, Springfield/Branson, Springfield (IL), Syracuse, Traverse City, Tulsa, Wausau/Stevens Point, Wichita, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Winnipeg |
United Express operated by Trans States Airlines | Greensboro, Harrisburg, Madison, Milwaukee, Moline/Quad Cities, Omaha, Raleigh/Durham [seasonal], Richmond, Roanoke, Rochester (NY), South Bend, St. Louis, Syracuse, White Plains |
The original 1955 passenger terminal for international flights, was replaced with the modern Terminal 1, designed by Helmut Jahn, in 1987.
Terminal 2 was built in a large airport expansion in 1962, along with the original portion of Terminal 3.
Terminal 2 was United's sole terminal until the current Terminal 1 was built. In the 1960s/70s/80s it served United, Ozark, Braniff, Eastern, Northwest, Continental and Piedmont. In addition to Concourses E/F (which remain today), there was also an 11-gate Concourse D, which was demolished to make room for new Terminal 1.
Terminal 2 provides 30 gates on 2 concourses:
Concourse E has 16 Gates: E1, E1A, E2, E2A, E3, E4, E6–E15
United Airlines runs a shuttle service between Concourse E and Concourse C. The shuttles are accessed via stairways near Gate E-2A and Gate C-9. Shuttles run every 5-7 minutes between 5:30am and 10:00pm.
Airlines | Destinations |
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Air Canada | Montréal, Toronto-Pearson |
Air Canada Jazz | Calgary, Montréal, Toronto-Pearson |
Continental Airlines | Houston-Intercontinental, Newark |
Continental Express operated by ExpressJet Airlines | Cleveland, Houston-Intercontinental, Newark |
JetBlue Airways | Boston, Long Beach, New York-JFK |
Northwest Airlines | Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul |
Northwest Airlink operated by Mesaba Airlines | Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul |
United Airlines | See Concourse B |
United Express | See Concourse C |
US Airways | Charlotte, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Phoenix |
US Airways Express operated by Air Wisconsin | Charlotte, Philadelphia |
US Airways Express operated by Republic Airlines | Charlotte, Philadelphia |
Concourse F has 14 gates, however several gates can handle multiple flights at the same time, effectively bringing aircraft capacity to 26: F1(A-D), F2(B-D), F4(A,B), F5, F6(A,B), F7B, F8-F10, F11(A-E), F12, F12(A-C), F14.
Gates with the alpha designation in parentheses are those that board/disembark passengers through a single doorway. Passengers board/disembark aircraft using airstairs, walking along designated pathways, utilizing stairs/elevators to access the gate area. United Airlines is in the process of converting these "outside operations" gates used by United Express into jet bridge operations to increase passenger comfort and ultimately enhance safety and security.
Additional gates - F5B & F7A - are currently under construction which will increase capacity to 28 aircraft. Construction of these gates are scheduled to finish before summer.
Airlines | Destinations |
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United Airlines | |
United Express | See Concourse C |
US Airways | See Concourse E |
US Airways Express operated by Republic Airlines | See Concourse E |
Terminal 3 provides 77 Gates on 4 Concourses:
Note: International Arrivals are handled in Terminal 5.
Concourse G has 26 Gates: G1A, G1B, G2A, G2B, G3–G5, G6A, G6B, G7–G14, G14A, G15–G19, G19A, G20, G21
Airlines | Destinations |
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American Airlines | |
American Eagle | Albuquerque, Atlanta, Baltimore, Bloomington/Normal, Buffalo, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Champaign/Urbana, Charlotte, Chattanooga, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Cleveland, Columbus (OH), Dallas-Love Field, Des Moines, Detroit, Dubuque, Evansville, Fayetteville (AR), Flint, Fort Wayne, Grand Rapids, Green Bay, Hartford/Springfield, Huntsville, Indianapolis, Jacksonville (FL), Kalamazoo, Kansas City, Knoxville, La Crosse, Little Rock, Louisville, Madison, Marquette, Memphis, Milwaukee, Moline/Quad Cities, Montréal, Nashville, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Ottawa, Peoria, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Raleigh/Durham, Richmond, Rochester (MN), Rochester (NY), Springfield (IL), Springfield (MO), Syracuse, Toledo, Toronto-Pearson, Traverse City, Tulsa, Washington-Reagan, Wausau/Stevens Point, White Plains, Wichita |
Concourse H has 21 Gates: H1A, H1B, H2, H3A, H3B, H4–H10, H11A, H11B, H12–H18
Airlines | Destinations |
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American Airlines | Acapulco [seasonal], Atlanta, Austin, Beijing [begins April 4, 2010], Boston, Brussels, Cabo San Lucas, Cancún, Dallas/Fort Worth, Delhi, Denver, Detroit, Dublin, Eagle/Vail [seasonal], El Paso, Fayetteville (AR), Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Frankfurt, Hayden/Steamboat Springs [seasonal], Honolulu [ends January 5], Houston-Intercontinental, Indianapolis, Jackson Hole [seasonal], Kansas City, Las Vegas, London-Heathrow, Los Angeles, Manchester (UK), Mexico City, Miami, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Montego Bay [begins January 31], Moscow-Domodedovo, Montrose/Telluride [seasonal], New Orleans, New York-LaGuardia, New York-JFK, Newark, Orange County, Orlando, Palm Springs [seasonal], Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland (OR) [seasonal], Puerto Vallarta [seasonal], Raleigh/Durham, Reno/Tahoe, Rome-Fiumicino [seasonal], St. Louis, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose (CA), San Juan (PR), Seattle/Tacoma, Shanghai-Pudong, Tampa, Tokyo-Narita, Toronto-Pearson, Tucson, Tulsa, Washington-Reagan, West Palm Beach [seasonal] |
American Eagle | See Concourse G |
Concourse K has 22 Gates: K1–K5, K6A, K6B, K7–K10, K10A, K11–K20
Airlines | Destinations |
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American Airlines | See Concourse H |
Iberia | Madrid |
Concourse L has 11 Gates: L1, L2A, L2B, L3-L10
Airlines | Destinations |
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Alaska Airlines | Anchorage, Seattle/Tacoma |
American Airlines | See Concourse H |
Delta Air Lines | Atlanta, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Salt Lake City |
Delta Connection operated by Comair | Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, New York-JFK |
Delta Connection operated by SkyWest Airlines | Atlanta, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky |
Delta Connection operated by Freedom Airlines | Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, New York-JFK |
Spirit Airlines | Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers |
Terminal 3 was also built in the 1962 capital program. During the 1960s, and pre-airline deregulation, Concourse L was home to Delta Air Lines. Concourse H & K served American while Concourse K also served the large "regional" carrier North Central. Concourse G served TWA, with a few gates reserved for Air Canada. Terminal 3 was significantly expanded in 1983, with the construction of Concourse L. Renovation were recently completed, which ran from January 2004 to Late Fall 2007.
Terminal 4 was O'Hare's interim international terminal from 1984 until 1993, located on the ground floor of the main parking garage. International passengers would check in at Terminal 4 and be taken directly to their aircraft by bus. Since the opening of Terminal 5, Terminal 4 has been changed into the airport's facility for CTA buses, hotel shuttles, and other ground transportation. The T4 designation will be used again in the future as new terminals are developed.
Terminal 5 provides 21 Gates on 1 Concourse.
Note: Terminal 5 handles all international arrivals at O'Hare (excluding airports with border preclearance), as well as the following departing flights:
Concourse M has 21 Gates: M1–M21
Airlines | Destinations |
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Aer Lingus | Dublin, Shannon |
Aeroméxico | Guadalajara, Mexico City, Morelia [begins December 5] |
Air France | Paris-Charles de Gaulle |
Air India | Frankfurt, Mumbai |
Air Jamaica | Montego Bay |
Air One | Milan-Malpensa |
Alitalia | Rome-Fiumicino |
Asiana Airlines | Seoul-Incheon |
BMI | Manchester (UK) [ends January 15] |
British Airways | London-Heathrow |
Cayman Airways | Grand Cayman [seasonal] |
Hainan Airlines | Beijing [begins June 2009][9] |
Japan Airlines | Tokyo-Narita |
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines | Amsterdam |
Korean Air | Seoul-Incheon |
LOT Polish Airlines | Kraków, Warsaw |
Mexicana | Aguascalientes, Cancún, Guadalajara, León [seasonal], Mexico City, Monterrey, Morelia, Zacatecas |
Royal Jordanian | Amman |
Scandinavian Airlines System | Copenhagen, Stockholm-Arlanda |
Swiss International Air Lines | Zürich |
TACA | San Salvador, Guatemala City |
Turkish Airlines | Istanbul-Atatürk |
USA3000 Airlines | Cabo San Lucas [seasonal], Cancún [public charter], Cozumel [seasonal], Fort Myers, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Montego Bay, Puerto Vallarta, Punta Cana |
Virgin Atlantic Airways | London-Heathrow |
There are two main cargo areas at O'Hare that have warehouse, build-up/tear-down and aircraft parking facilities. The Southwest Cargo Area, adjacent to Irving Park Road, accommodates over 80% of the airport's all-cargo flights, divided among 9 buildings in two tiers. The North Cargo Area, which is a modest conversion of the former military base (the 1943 Douglas plant area), also receives air freighters. It is adjacent to the northern portion of Bessie Coleman Drive.
Two satellite cargo areas have warehouse and build-up/tear down facilities, but aircraft do not park at these. Freight is trucked to/from aircraft on other ramps. The South Cargo Area is along Mannheim Road. The East Cargo Area, adjacent to Terminal 5, was formerly the airport's only cargo section but has now mostly evolved into an airport support zone.
Although all-cargo flights are important, an even greater amount of global air cargo flies in the cargo holds of passenger aircraft.
There are 6 primary air carrier runways, arranged tangentially in 3 pairs of parallel sets. The largest is Runway 14R-32L, 13,000' x 200'. Runways 14L-32R, 14R-32L, 9L-27R and 10-28 have Category III ILS (Instrument Landing System). All other runway approaches except 4L have full Category I ILS.
All but one of O'Hare's runways intersect, which can create problems in times of inclement weather, congestion at the airport, or high winds. There have been several near-aircraft collisions at O'Hare in recent years. The proposed redevelopment, which essentially eliminates active runway intersections, is intended to alleviate collision hazards at O'Hare.
Three runways of the original 1943 airfield's four have been upgraded to modern standards. Additional runways were constructed in 1955, 1968, 1971 and 2008. In 2003, old Runway 18-36 was permanently closed—its short length and problematic placement no longer justified its continued certification. Runway 18-36 is now shown as taxiway WT on current airport charts.
The proposed redevelopment would entail removal of the 2 northwest–southeast runways, construction of 4 additional east–west runways, and extension of the 2 existing east–west runways. The two existing northeast–southwest runways would be retained.
Runway 32L is sometimes used for departures in a shortened configuration. Planes access the runway from its intersection at taxiway T10 (common) or taxiway M (not common). This shortens the effective length of the runway but allows operations on runway 10-28 to continue without restriction.
O'Hare has a voluntary nighttime (2200-0700) noise abatement program in place. http://www.ohare.com/cnrc/ohare/o_noise_flyquiet.shtm
The proposed runway re-configuration program at O'Hare would also improve the airport for the A380 Super-Jumbo aircraft. As part of the runway re-configuration program, on July 5, 2007, the runway previously designated 9R-27L became Runway 10-28, and on August 30, 2007, Runway 9L-27R became 9R-27L. [11]
On September 25, 2008, a 3,000 foot extension to 10-28 was opened. [12]
Access within the airport complex can be accomplished using O'Hare's Airport Transit System (ATS), a 2.5 mi (4 km) long automated people mover system that operates 24 hours a day, connecting all four terminals and the remote parking lots. The system began its operation in 1993, and will be soon undergoing a US $90 million enhancement to add 24 new cars and to extend the line to a new remote parking garage.
A large air cargo complex on the southwest side of the field was opened in 1984, replacing most of the old cargo area, which stood where Terminal 5 now exists.
The hangar area has multiple buildings capable of fully enclosing aircraft up to the size of the Boeing 747.
The original Douglas plant on the northeast side evolved into a United States Air Force Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve facility after World War II.
Beginning in 1947, the airfield was assigned to Continental Air Command (ConAC). The 338th Bombardment Group flew B-29 Superfortresses from the airfield between 12 Jun 1947 - 27 Jun 1949. The B-29s were replaced by the 437th Troop Carrier Group, flying Curtiss C-46 Commandoes until being activated for the Korean War on 14 Mar 1951. It's aircraft and personnel were deployed to various units in South Korea and Japan, with the group being inactivated immediatley afterwards.[13]
During the Korean War, the ConAC reserve units were withdrawn and O'Hare was reassigned to Air Defense Command's Central Air Defense Force.[14]. The 62d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron was transferred to the station flying F-86 Sabres. [15][16] The 62d FIS remained at O'Hare until 1 Oct 1959, becoming part of the ADC 56th Fighter Group later being upgraded to the F-86D interceptor version of the Sabre.[17] In addition, the federalized Oregon Air National Guard 142d Fighter-Interceptor Wing, was stationed at O'Hare from 1 Mar 1951 - 6 Feb 1952.
Other Air Defense Command squadrons assigned to the 56th FIW at O'Hare Airport were the 42d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (1953-1955) (F-86D) and the 63d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (1955-1958) (F-86D/L)[17] In 1960, the need for active duty Air Defense bases was diminishing and the Air Force inactivated its active-duty Air Defense Command units at O'Hare and returned the station back to Continental Air Command (later resesignated Air Force Reserve) to base reserve units under the 2840th Air Reserve Training Wing.[18]
The USAF facilities closed in 1998 and is now being redeveloped for cargo and general aviation. Signature Flight Support services private aircraft in this area.
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This article incorporates text from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website which, as a United States government publication, is in the public domain. |
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