Contact Information:
Monique Bond
(773) 686-3700
(312) 839-3194 (pager)


THE CHICAGO AIRPORT SYSTEM PREPARES FOR THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY WEEKEND

Friday and Monday Projected to be the Busiest With Over 240,000 Travelers Passing Through Midway and O’Hare

CHICAGO -- August 27, 2003 - Nearly 1.3 million passengers are expected to travel through the Chicago Airport System as the summer travel season ends over the Labor Day travel period.

Beginning Thursday, August 28 and continuing through Tuesday, September 2, the Department of Aviation is expecting a daily average of over 170,000 passengers to pass through O’Hare International Airport. A daily average of more than 47,000 travelers will pass through Midway International Airport during the six-day period.

Monday is projected to be the busiest day at O’Hare with over 185,000 passengers. Midway’s busiest day is expected on Friday, with over 61,000 passengers traveling through the airport.

"Labor Day Weekend travel marks the culmination of the summer travel 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.

Travelers should allow ample time for traveling to the airports, ticketing and checking baggage. It is suggested that all domestic and international departing passengers arrive at least two hours before their scheduled flight departure. Additional security lanes have been added at Midway International Airport to accommodate passengers.

Only ticketed passengers with government issued photo identification are allowed beyond the security screening checkpoints.

Passengers needing special assistance can obtain an escort pass by coordinating in advance with the airlines.

The Department of Aviation recommends using curbside check-in or E-ticket kiosks to avoid long lines at the ticket counters. These options are available on a limited basis at both O’Hare and Midway airports.

Check directly with your airline to see if these timesaving options are available. Using either of these options, travelers may proceed directly to the security screening checkpoint.

Remove all metal and electronic devices such as coins, pens, cell phones, cameras, and pagers prior to walking through the magnetometers. All laptop computers and cases must be X-rayed. Removing laptop computers from carrying cases before arriving to the screening checkpoint helps make security lines move more quickly. Check the Department of Aviation’s web site, www.chicagoairports.com or the US DOT web site, www.tsa.dot.gov/workingwithtsa/travel.htm for an updated list of prohibited items.

Passengers traveling with medical equipment must have appropriate documentation from a physician or a pharmacist.

Convenient public transportation options are available to 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. Unattended vehicles parked in front of terminal curb fronts will be ticketed and towed. For information on parking rates and availability, motorists can call (773) 686-7530 for O’Hare, and (773) 838-0756 for Midway.