CHICAGO AIRPORTS CONTINUE TO SEE PASSENGER INCREASE DURING HOLIDAY TRAVEL PERIOD
Live Entertainment Adds Cheer for Travelers
CHICAGO – December 19, 2001 – Travelers continue to return to the skies visiting family and friends to complete the holiday travel season. The Chicago Airport System will welcome travelers with some of the finest holiday entertainment performing throughout the terminals of O'Hare and Midway Airports.
Thursday, December 20th through Saturday, December 22nd are expected to be the busiest during the remainder of the holiday travel period.
A daily average of 205,000 passengers will travel through O'Hare International Airport, with over 51,000 travelers passing through Midway Airport. The busiest day at both airports is projected to be Friday, December 21st, with over 260,000 travelers.
"This extended travel period marks the end of the busy holiday travel season," said Chicago Aviation Commissioner Thomas R. Walker. We continue to work closely with our airline partners to ensure a safe and efficient operation for the travelers using our airport system," Walker added.
The travel season ends with live entertainment at Midway and O'Hare airports. Santa is available at both airports between 4:00 and 6:00pm, Thursday December 20th. Local Chicago musicians will ring the airport terminals with variety of jazz, gospel and classical musical selections on Thursday, December 20th, Friday, December 21st , and Monday, December 24th. Complimentary coffee will also be available for the traveling public on those dates.
A traditional holiday favorite at Midway Airport features pianist Phyllis Silhan, a local Chicagoan who has graced the terminals of Midway Airport for years with her holiday melodies.
Travelers can select from a wide variety of food, beverage and retail options. Favorites such as The Berghoff Café and O'Brien's are joined by Wolfgang Puck Café, Fox Sports Sky Box and Chili's Bar and Grill at O'Hare.
Midway Airport's new Midway Boulevard features many of Chicago's local flare with notable restaurants such as Luigi Stefani Pizza, Harry Carey's, and Manny's Coffee Shop. Last minute shopping opportunities provide travelers with quality gift options at both airports. Wilson's Leather, Brookstone, George's Music, Spirit of the Red Horse and Mont Blanc are some of the fine retail shops travelers can find at Midway and O'Hare Airports.
Additional time should be incorporated for enhanced security measures at the screening checkpoints. It is suggested that all departing passengers arrive at least two hours before their scheduled flight departure.
Only ticketed passengers with a boarding pass, e-ticket receipt and government issued ID will be permitted beyond the screening checkpoints. Travelers are advised to enter the screening checkpoints designated by the carrier reflected on the ticket. For specific information on wait times, contact the airlines.
Vehicles are prohibited to wait in front of terminals. Violators will be ticketed and towed.
The Department of Aviation suggests that persons meeting or dropping off passengers take advantage of special short term holiday rates that are in effect from Friday, December 21st through Wednesday, January 2nd. Special short term parking rates are available. At O'Hare, $3.00 for the first three hours and at Midway, $2.00 for the first two hours. For further parking information at O'Hare travelers can call (773) 686-7530. At Midway, travelers can call (773) 838-0756.
It is recommended that travelers check flight status with the airlines prior to arriving at the airport. Airport information is available at the Department of Aviation Web site, www.chicagoairports.com. Telephone operators are available by phone at (773) 686-2200 for O'Hare, or (773) 838-0600 for Midway.
