Chicago's O'Hare and Midway International Airports are hitting new heights in passenger numbers, marking a notable uptick in growth throughout 2023, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA). Data shows an impressive 8.1% increase in travelers at O'Hare, with a total of 73.9 million passengers, while Midway witnessed a 10.7% surge, hosting over 22 million fliers.

Chicago's mayor, Brandon Johnson, took to the stats with enthusiasm, stating, "O'Hare and Midway International Airports act as the front door to the greatest city in the world for tens of millions of travelers each year, and the statistics released today demonstrate that Chicago’s airports are thriving and ready to continue their growth," he encouraged more travelers to experience the city's diverse offerings. CDA Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee also emphasized the importance of enhancing traveler experience, noting terminal upgrades at O'Hare and new concessions at Midway, with a nod to airline partners for their commitment and the diverse, frequent air service options planned for the coming summer.

The numbers are particularly striking when considering post-pandemic recovery, with Midway exceeding its pre-pandemic levels by 5.5% and O'Hare hitting 87.3% of its 2019 passenger volume. Looking forward, O'Hare is gearing up for a bustling summer in 2024, with projections from the Federal Aviation Administration foreseeing 41.5 million enplanements for the year.

For international explorers and business tycoons alike, O'Hare is expanding its reach, set to offer service to 67 international destinations this July—which is up from 65 in 2019, airline giants such as United Airlines are beefing up routes with over 175 connections to O'Hare, including 15 European destinations. New routes are blooming this spring too, with Frontier Airlines ramping up its offerings from O'Hare and maintaining robust operations at Midway, launching services to nine new cities ranging from Charlotte to Houston.

Such positive trends signify more than mere numbers; they're a testament to the vigor of Chicago as a hub for travel and trade, a touchstone for journeys embarking from the heartlands to the far reaches of the globe, and as Mayor Johnson and Commissioner Rhee herald, the airports stand as gateways to a vibrant, ever-expanding urbanscape—a Chicago primed to not only welcome the world but to set the pace in the skies and beyond.