Chicago Department of Aviation to welcome more than 1.5 million passengers at O’Hare and Midway International Airports over Memorial Day weekend

CHICAGO, 2014-5-23 — /Travel PR News/ — The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) is ready to welcome more than 1.5 million passengers at O’Hare and Midway International Airports over a six-day travel period covering Memorial Day weekend that begins today, Thursday, May 22 through Tuesday, May 27.

At O’Hare, passenger traffic is expected to remain steady at 1.1 million passengers compared to the same period in 2013. Today, Thursday, May 22 is projected to be O’Hare’s busiest day with about 230,000 passengers.

Airlines at Midway anticipate a three percent increase in passenger volume compared with 2013, with more than 360,000 passengers anticipated over the holiday period. The busiest day at Midway is projected to be tomorrow, Friday, May 23 with nearly 72,000 passengers.

“The Chicago Department of Aviation and all of our airport partners are ready to provide ‘best in class’ service to the millions of passengers who will travel through O’Hare and Midway this weekend and throughout the busy summer travel season,” said CDA Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino. “We also want to call attention to the men and women of our armed forces as we continue to celebrate Military Appreciation Month at Chicago’s airports.”

Military Appreciation Month Continues at Chicago’s airports 

Every day during the month of May, the CDA, in partnership with the United Service Organization of Illinois (USO) and airport concessionaires, is sponsoring a series of planned events, programs and special discounts. The following activities will occur during the Memorial Day travel period.

• On Thursday, May 22 and Friday, May 23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the USO will staff tables past security checkpoints at O’Hare to provide refreshments for military personnel and share information about what the USO offers to service members and their families, as well as volunteer opportunities for civilians. The USO at Midway, located past the security checkpoint in Concourse C, will be open during the holiday period and will offer treats and information for traveling military personnel and their families.

• On Thursday, May 22 and Friday, May 23, a variety of live entertainment, from high school drill teams to blues and jazz bands, will take place at both airports from 2-5 p.m.

• On Monday, May 26, participating concessions at both airports will offer 10-25 percent discounts to military personnel.

• On Tuesday, May 27, passengers and airport employees will be encouraged to visit the USO centers at each airport to donate food items, phone calling cards, DVDs, video games, and personal care items for use by military personnel and their families traveling through Chicago’s airports.

A commemorative wreath will be displayed on the Butch O’Hare exhibit at O’Hare. Midway will also display a commemorative wreath at the Battle of Midway exhibit as well as have flags on display throughout the terminal, roadway and parking lots.

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