Chicago O'Hare named America's Most-Connected Airport in 2024

Airports

Commissioner Jamie Rhee of the Chicago Aviation Department | Courtesy of Chicago Aviation Department

By Sky Industry News

Nov 19, 2024

The Chicago Department of Aviation has announced that O'Hare International Airport has been ranked as the number one airport in the United States for connectivity and ninth globally, according to the Official Aviation Guide's (OAG) 2024 Megahubs Index.

The OAG Megahubs 2024 report evaluates the world's top 50 internationally connected airports, focusing on their global connectivity. London Heathrow Airport maintains its status as the most connected airport worldwide, offering a wide range of destinations and potential connections. Kuala Lumpur International Airport has climbed to second place, becoming the most connected airport in the Asia-Pacific region, primarily due to AirAsia's operations. Tokyo Haneda Airport ranks third. In the United States, Chicago O'Hare International Airport is recognized as ninth globally and first domestically.

According to reports, the O'Hare Global Terminal, a $2.2 billion project, is poised to become one of the largest and most advanced airport facilities in the U.S., significantly enhancing Chicago’s attractiveness for travelers. This terminal will replace and more than double the space of the current Terminal 2. To ensure uninterrupted operations during construction, two satellite concourses will maintain gate capacity.

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The O'Hare 21 modernization program is expected to have a substantial economic and operational impact on the Chicago metropolitan area. This ambitious $12.1 billion initiative—up from an original $8.5 billion due to inflation and supply chain challenges—is projected to generate $18.4 billion in economic activity by 2033, providing a return of over $2 for every dollar invested. The program is anticipated to create 95,000 jobs over a decade, with 53,000 in the construction sector alone, averaging 9,500 jobs per year.

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