O’Hare Marks Busiest Summer Ever, Surpassing Pre-Pandemic Peak For The Season

CHICAGO - O'Hare International Airport recorded the busiest summer in its 70-year history, Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) announced today.

Air traffic data published by the CDA today shows that more than 24.3 million passengers traveled through O'Hare during the summer months of June, July, and August, surpassing the previous record of 24 million set in 2019 by 1.2%. August alone saw more than 8 million passengers, following O'Hare's busiest-ever month for passenger volume this July - capping off a historic summer for one of the world's busiest and most connected airports.

"Chicago continues to prove itself as the transportation hub of the world," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "O'Hare's record-breaking summer is a testament to our city's global reach and to the tens of thousands of aviation professionals who keep travelers moving safely and efficiently every single day. Their work embodies the Chicago spirit of excellence, service, and innovation."

"With more than 24 million passengers passing through O'Hare this summer, this milestone underscores the importance of our continued investment in terminal facilities, airfield infrastructure, and the customer experience," said CDA Commissioner Michael McMurray. "Through ORDNext and other modernization efforts across our four terminals, we're ensuring that O'Hare remains a world-class gateway for generations to come. I want to thank our airline partners for their continued confidence in Chicago and for helping us achieve this remarkable milestone."

This milestone reflects both robust connecting traffic and strong local demand, as travelers continue to choose Chicago as their preferred destination and gateway to the world.

Air service highlights from the summer travel season include new nonstop flights from Japan Airlines to Tokyo Narita and from Avianca to San Salvador, El Salvador. American Airlines and United Airlines each added seasonal service to Halifax, and WestJet introduced new summer flights to Edmonton.

Air carriers' investment in O'Hare's robust network will continue through the end of the year, with American Airlines and United Airlines both expanding their O'Hare service to warm-weather destinations this fall and winter.

United Airlines will operate its busiest flight schedule of the year from O'Hare this fall, expanding service to Phoenix, Austin, and Orlando, as well as to Caribbean and Latin American destinations including Liberia, Costa Rica; Cozumel, Mexico; Saint Maarten; Guatemala City; Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; and San José del Cabo, Mexico. Service to Tel Aviv, Israel, will also resume in November with four weekly year-round flights. American has also announced new service to Curacao; Guatemala City; Mexico City, Mexico; San Jose, Costa Rica; St. Croix; and St. Maarten, along with increased service to Aruba; Cancun, Mexico; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Liberia, Costa Rica; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Nassau, Bahamas and more. In late October, American will also begin service to Honolulu. Finally, in mid-November, ultra-low-cost carrier Arajet will launch year-round service from O'Hare to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, operating three flights each week with convenient connections across the Caribbean and Latin America. VivaAerobus will also begin new service between O'Hare and Mexico City's Felipe Ángeles International Airport.

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