THE CHICAGO AIRPORT SYSTEM PREPARES FOR A BUSY LABOR DAY HOLIDAY TRAVEL PERIOD
Friday Ranks the "Busiest" with Over 280,000 Travelers at O'Hare and Midway Airports
CHICAGO -- August 30, 2001 -- More than 1.4 million passengers are expected to pass through the Chicago Airport System this Labor Day Holiday travel period beginning Thursday, August 30th and continuing through Tuesday, September 4th.
A daily average of more than 200,000 travelers will pass through O'Hare International Airport, while a daily average of 43,000 travelers will pass through Midway Airport.
"The Labor Day holiday marks the culmination of summer's vacation season," said Aviation Commissioner Thomas R. Walker. "O'Hare's tremendous global access and Midway's low fare, point-to-point service continues to provide our travelers with optimum convenience during this busy holiday weekend," he added.
On Thursday, August 30th and Friday, August 31st, travelers at O'Hare International and Midway Airports will be treated to live entertainment celebrating the City of Chicago's Jazz Fest without going to Grant Park. Traditional jazz, dixieland and swing will be showcased throughout the airport terminals between the hours of 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Local jazz favorites such as The Allen Batts Quartet and Guitar Red are special features for travelers to enjoy.
O'Hare's award winning concessions program provides a wide variety of local and national food and beverage choices at O'Hare, such as Billy Goat's, Fox Sports Skybox, Wolfgang Puck's, Berghoff's and Chili's Restaurants. Midway travelers can stroll down the new Midway Boulevard concessions triangle, the airport's latest success in the ongoing development of the new terminal.
Located beyond the security checkpoint, 23 new shops and restaurants are closely located for travelers to enjoy the convenience of food, beverage and retail opportunities while close to their gates. Some noted Chicago favorites include Harry Caray's, Lalo's Mexican Restaurant, Reilly's Daughter, and Gold Coast Dogs. Several retail options include Kid's Corner, Wilsons Leather, George's Music Room and Chicago Treasures.
Travelers should allow ample time for traveling to the airports, ticketing and checking baggage. It is suggested that all international departing passengers arrive at least two hours before their scheduled flight departure; domestic departing passengers should arrive at least one and a half hours before their scheduled flight departure.
Construction work on the upper level roadway at O'Hare will continue to take place during nighttime hours between 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., when airport operations are minimally impacted. Motorists will be allowed to drop-off and pick up passengers on the lower level roadway.
Convenient public transportation options are available at both O'Hare and Midway. The CTA's Blue Line to O'Hare and the Orange Line to Midway are convenient ways to get to the airports and the Loop while avoiding roadway congestion.
Parking is prohibited in front of airport terminal curb fronts. Unattended vehicles will be ticketed and towed.
Midway Airport will offer a special short term rate of $2.00 for the first two hours in the main garage from Thursday, August 30th through Tuesday, September 4th. For further parking information, travelers can call (773) 686-7530 for O'Hare, and (773) 838-0756 for Midway.
