| Gary/Chicago International Airport | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| IATA: GYY – ICAO: KGYY – FAA LID: GYY | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Public | ||
| Owner | Gary/Chicago Airport Authority | ||
| Location | Gary, Indiana | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 591 ft / 180 m | ||
| Website | |||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| ft | m | ||
| 2/20 | 3,603 | 1,098 | Asphalt |
| 12/30 | 7,003 | 2,135 | Grooved Asphalt |
| Source: Federal Aviation Administration[1] | |||
Gary/Chicago International Airport (IATA: GYY, ICAO: KGYY, FAA LID: GYY) is a public airport located three miles (5 km) northwest of the central business district of Gary, a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States.[1] The airport, which serves the Chicago metropolitan area, is 25 miles (40 km) southeast of the Chicago Loop. It is operated by the Gary Chicago Airport Authority, the basis for which was formed by the Chicago Gary Airport Compact signed in 1995. Gary/Chicago International Airport was a hub for seasonal carrier SkyValue Airlines from December 2006 to April 2007. Nearby highway connections include I-90, I-80, I-94, I-65 and the Chicago Skyway.
A long-standing proposal to turn the Gary/Chicago International Airport into Chicago's third major airport received a boost in early 2006 with the approval of $48 million in federal funding over the next ten years.[2] Expansion plans include a new multi-level Intermodal Terminal combining three modes of transit – passenger rail, passenger vehicles, and air travel. The rail system is designed to combine both commuter and high-speed lines.[3]
High tension power lines along the west end of the airport are buried. A tentative agreement has been reached with the railroads that will allow relocation of elevated tracks currently blocking the west end of runway 30. Completion of these projects is required to make way for a lengthening of the main runway.
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Gary/Chicago is operating as the "third airport" for the Chicago metropolitan area, supplementing Chicago's major airports, O'Hare and Midway. Gary/Chicago Airport has been designed with an eye towards growth, and the administration is courting the airlines aggressively. Numerous businesses, including Boeing, Menards and White Lodging Services, base their corporate aircraft here. A National Guard installation has also been constructed.
Federal funds were secured in January 2006 to move railroad tracks away from the northwest corner to allow extension of the main runway to 9,000 feet, as well as add gates to the existing passenger terminal building. The recent creation of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority is expected to draw more state and local dollars for infrastructure improvements and additions.
Expanding Gary/Chicago Airport is considered an alternative to constructing a new airport near Peotone, Illinois, 30 miles south of Chicago. One advantage of expanding the Gary airport is its proximity to downtown Chicago. This plan is backed by the mayors of Gary and Chicago, while the Illinois state government is in favor of construction at Peotone. Tax revenues from a new airport at Peotone would go to the Illinois state government, while those from an expanded Gary airport would go to a regional airport authority, and thus to the cities of Chicago and Gary.
In the past, Gary/Chicago International Airport has been served by Pan Am, Southeast Airlines, SkyValue Airlines, Skybus Airlines and Hooters Air, with flights to locations such as Hartford, Connecticut; St. Petersburg, Florida; Greensboro, North Carolina and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Prior to its bankruptcy problems in 2004, ATA Airlines had planned turboprop service to several Indiana cities. This service was to be operated by its subsidiary, Chicago Express/ATA Connection, but the proposed service was never started as Chicago Express Airlines was grounded in March 2005. Before ultimately choosing to serve Chicago O'Hare International Airport in 2006, JetBlue Airways considered adding service to Gary/Chicago International Airport.
Skybus Airlines served the airport until the airline folded on April 4, 2008. Since that time there have been no regularly scheduled passenger flights out of the Gary/Chicago Airport. However, charter flights are frequently scheduled for casino trips to Atlantic City, Harrah's Tunica, and Beau Rivage Biloxi.
On December 12, 2011, Allegiant Air announced they will begin service to Orlando Sanford International Airport two days a week beginning February 15, 2012. Allegiant had considered Gary/Chicago International Airport before, however aircraft operational limits resulted in the airline deciding against Gary, until the runway expansion was completed.[4]
| Airlines | Destinations |
|---|---|
| Allegiant Air | Orlando-Sanford [begins February 15, 2012][6] |
The South Shore Line commuter rail train serves the Gary/Chicago International Airport. The station, which is known as Gary Airport/Clark Road, is located near Second Avenue, approximately one mile south of the terminal. Service runs to downtown Chicago.
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