Chicago Department of Aviation

The Chicago Department of Aviation is the municipal agency responsible for the operation, maintenance, and development of Chicago’s airport system, which includes O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. It oversees airfield operations, terminal facilities, passenger services, cargo handling, and ground transportation connections for both airports. The department works to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable air travel for domestic and international passengers, airlines, and freight operators that use the Chicago airspace. As a city department, it implements policies set by the City of Chicago and coordinates with federal aviation and security agencies.

O’Hare and Midway together constitute one of the busiest airport networks in the United States, serving as major gateways for travel across the nation and abroad. The department manages extensive infrastructure that supports a high volume of flights and a diverse range of aviation activities, from commercial passenger flights to general aviation and military operations. Its facilities accommodate millions of travelers each year and provide essential economic links for the Chicago metropolitan region. The department’s role extends to planning and executing capital improvement projects aimed at modernizing terminals, runways, and support services.

Distinguishing attributes of the Chicago Department of Aviation include its regulatory oversight of airport operations in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration standards and Transportation Security Administration requirements. It leads initiatives related to sustainability, noise abatement, and emergency preparedness, reflecting a commitment to environmental stewardship and public safety. The department also maintains specialized capabilities for incident response, as demonstrated by its coordination during the 2022 distributed denial‑of‑service attack that temporarily affected public‑facing websites of O’Hare and Midway. This event highlighted the department’s engagement with federal partners such as CISA and the FBI in addressing cyber threats to airport information systems.

Structurally, the Chicago Department of Aviation operates as a division of the City of Chicago government, reporting to the Mayor’s office and functioning under the authority of the city council. It is not a separate corporate entity but a public agency tasked with managing municipal aviation assets. The department’s leadership includes an appointed commissioner who oversees day‑to‑day management and strategic direction for the airport system. Its organizational structure integrates operational, engineering, finance, and administration divisions to fulfill its mandate of maintaining and enhancing Chicago’s aviation infrastructure.