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Press Release
For Immediate Release:
May 28, 2004
Contact Information:
Monique Bond
(773) 686-3700
(312) 839-3194 (pager)
MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY TRAVEL PERIOD LAUNCHES BUSY SUMMER TRAVEL SEASON
Chicago’s Airports Expect Record Numbers of Travelers to Pass through Midway and O’Hare International Airports
CHICAGO - May 25, 2004 -- More than 1.7 million travelers are expected to travel through Chicago’s airports during the Memorial Day Holiday travel period. The seven day period beginning Wednesday, May 26th through Tuesday, June 1st is expected to be the busiest travel period since 2000.
A daily average of more than 200,000 travelers will pass through O’Hare International Airport Midway International expects a daily average of 53,000 travelers. Friday, May 28th is projected to be the busiest at both airports.
"The number of passengers traveling through O’Hare is at a level that we haven’t seen since 2000," said Aviation Commissioner John A. Roberson. "Midway is on track to have another record breaking year with 41 new gates on line in time for the busy summer travel season," Roberson added.
The screening checkpoint lines can move more expeditiously when travelers properly divest metal objects and electronic devices. Remove pagers, cell phones, and cameras prior to walking through the magnetometers. Laptop computers also should be removed from the carrying case before proceeding through the magnetometers. The lines move more quickly when travelers are not required to pass through a secondary screening process.
Airport Ambassadors and customer service representatives will also be on site to remind travelers about divesture procedures.
The Department of Aviation is advising travelers to be mindful of the Transportation Security Administration’s prohibited items list. An updated list and other travel tips can be found on the TSA website at www.tsa.gov. All other airport information can be found on the airport’s website at www.flychicago.com.
Passengers traveling with medical equipment must have appropriate documentation from a physician or pharmacist. Escort passes must be pre- arranged by the airlines in advance.
Parking specials will be available at both airports. O’Hare’s $3.00 for the first 3 hours is available at the Main Parking Garage, and Midway’s $2.00 for the first 2 hours at the Midway Terminal Main Parking Garage.
For those travelers with long term parking needs, Midway’s 72nd Street Remote Lot located on Cicero Avenue will offer a daily rate of $8.00. Complimentary shuttle bus service is available 24 hours every 15 minutes to the Midway Terminal Building. Drop off/pick up service to the Remote Lot is located on the Departures Level, Entry Door 4.
Travelers should allow ample time for traveling to the airports, ticketing, checking baggage and parking. Domestic travelers should allow at least 1 ˝ to 2 hours prior to a domestic departure. International travelers should allow 2 hours prior to an international departure. For those travelers taking advantage of the long term parking at Midway’s 72nd Street Remote Lot, an additional 30 minutes should be included in the recommended domestic departure times.
Convenient public transportation options are also available. The CTA’s Blue Line to O’Hare and the Orange Line to Midway are convenient ways to get between airports and the Loop.
For information on parking availability and rates, motorists can call
(773) 686-7530 for O’Hare and (773) 838-0756 for Midway.
The initial construction phases of the O’Hare Facade project are currently underway. Curbside check in is available and motorists will be permitted to drop off passengers at the curb on the departure level. No parking or waiting is permitted on the departure levels at both airports. Any unattended or dwelling vehicles will be ticketed and towed.
Chicago’s airports will also compliment the City’s Embrace Art in Chicago Program with the Department of Aviation’s Arts In Action initiative. Passengers will be able to experience local professional and student artists creating art at the airports. Artists will be creating on stages throughout O’Hare and Midway on Thursday, May 27th, and Friday, May 28th from
2-6pm. The stages will feature individual artists and student mural groups. Each artist performance will be accompanied by live jazz or classical music.
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