Size and Scope: O'Hare is the aviation capital of the world. It has held that position for the past 30 years. It is the hub of national air transportation un the United States, and plays a very vital role in not only the country's transportation scheme, but also the local and regional economy. O'Hare Airport handles more passengers and aircraft operations than any airport in the world. Approximately 175,000 travelers pass through O'Hare each day. An average of 100 aircraft arrive and depart each hour and in 1994 O'Hare handled over 880,000 aircraft operations. O'Hare served over 66 million passengers in 1994. The total airport complex covers nearly 7,700 acres with 162 aircraft gates housed in 4 terminal buildings.

Administration: Chicago O'Hare International Airport is owned and operated by the City of Chicago Department of Aviation.

Visitor Services: O'Hare is served by nearly 50 domestic and foreign flag commercial, commuter and cargo carriers. They provide service to all 50 states and numerous foreign countries.

Airport Information Program is staffed by multi-lingual representatives who together speak approximately 26 foreign languages. They provide both information and translation assistance to travelers. Five airport information booths are located throughout the airport. They are open daily from 8:15 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. For further information call (312) 686-2304.

The Airport Tour Program offers tours of the airport Monday through Friday at 10:00 and 11:30 a.m. for groups of 20 to 40 individuals. Reservations should be made one month in advance by calling the Tour Office Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at (312) 686-2300. Teletext Phones for the hearing impaired are located adjacent to the airport information booths and in telephone banks throughout the airport.

The Skybird Meeting Center is located in the Rotunda Building between Terminals 2 and 3 and provides meeting rooms with various catering services. For further information and reservations call (312) 686-6101.

Terminals 1, 2, & 3 (The Core)
The center of O'Hare Airport, Known as the "core", contains Terminals 1, 2, and 3. A majority of the airport's domestic flights operate within these three terminals.

Terminal 5
The new international terminal, known as Terminal 5, is located east of this central core. Long -term parking facilities (Lots E and F) are located just beyond Terminal 5, via the Airport Transit System.

Parking Facilities:
Main Parking facilities at O'Hare provide more than 10,000 spaces for airport patrons. Short-term parking also exists for passenger pick-ups and drop-offs in Lot D immediately adjacent to International Terminal 5.

Long-term parking spaces are located in Lots E and F located on the east side of Bessie Coleman Drive and Mannheim Road. Long-term Lot E is serviced by the Airport Transit System (ATS). Those parking in Lot F can take a shuttle bus to Lot E to board the ATS to all terminals.

O'Hare Development Program (ODP)
O'Hare International has just completed a 2 Billion Dollar expansion and rehabilition program.

Domestic Facilities:
Delta Concourse L
United Airline's `Terminal for Tomorrow' (Terminal 1)
American Airline's / Baggage System Improvements
Advances Security Bays
Expansion of the Heating & Refrigeration Plant

International Facilities:
Interim International Terminal (Terminal 4)
Permanent International Terminal (Terminal 5)

South Cargo Area:
South `Cargo City' (See below)
U.S. Postal Service Air Mail Facility

Access Systems:
Terminal Roadfront Expansion
Expansion of Main Entrance to Central Core
Expanded Long-Term Parking
Airport Transit System (ATS)

Airfield:
Inner / Outer Taxiway Expansion
Runway Extensions
Second Taxiway Bridge

`Cargo City':
While most travelers recognize O'Hare as the world's busiest airport, few are aware of the city that exists within this metropolis and lies just beyond the terminal buildings. Not only does this growing facility rank tops in the world for moving people, it also ranks as a global leader in the movement of freight and goods. Ant the development of the community known as `Cargo City' ensures that O'Hare maintains its leadership in the delivery of the world's products.

O'Hare currently serves as the nation's third busiest cargo moving airport. It ranks fifth in the world with respect to cargo volume. In 1994 alone, over 1.38 million tons of freight and mail ranging from fresh flowers to gourmet foods to electronics moved through the airport.

When the O'Hare Development Program was first conceived, the cramped quarters being utilized by the airport's cargo carriers and freight forwarders were immediately recognized as in need of expansion. O'Hare could not maintain its stature as a transportation leader with cargo facilities too limited to handle even nominal growth. That recognition led to the design and construction of the new facilities known as `Cargo City'.

Begun in 1985, the new site consists of approximately 240 acres, nearly double the size of the previous site. Located in the southwest quadrant of the airport, the completed facilities of `Cargo City' consist of 1.2 million square feet of space in buildings designed to move freight and mail quickly and efficiently into the 21st century.

O'Hare's past success and continued growth in the shipment of cargo can be attributed to the variety and strength of its tenants. Their commitment to O'Hare can be recognized through their recent investment in these new cargo facilities.

O'Hare will continue to paly a major role in the provision of goods to the entire midwestern region well into the future. With the existing network of rail and trucking services coupled with Chicago's position as an air transportation leader, the existence of a facility such as `Cargo City' ensures that O'Hare will remain a leader in both passenger movement and the availability of goods to those passengers -- now and well into the 21st century.