O’Hare’s two main airlines have signed off on the city’s proposed changes to construction at O’Hare, clearing a path forward after months of negotiations.
The city in early April proposed changing the order of construction on a new Global Terminal and nearby satellite concourses, opting to “accelerate the completion of the Global Terminal,” which is set to replace aging Terminal 2. Initially, the plan was to build two satellite concourses first, which would have added gate space for airlines to use while Terminal 2 was torn down and replaced with the Global Terminal.
A change in the order of construction had been sought by airlines during months of contentious negotiations with the city over the rebuild, as they sought to ensure the new terminal wasn’t threatened by future budget issues. O’Hare’s two main carriers, American and United, had pushed back against rising construction costs at the airport, a key piece of the city’s economy and a hub in the nation’s air system.
Friday, United and American issued statements supporting the plan. United said the city’s aviation department would move forward with construction on the first satellite concourse, while planning a phased construction of the Global Terminal. If enough money is left over, the aviation department would move forward with construction on the second satellite concourse and the tunnel connecting the two concourses, United said.
“We are pleased that Mayor Johnson and his aviation department have put forth a phasing plan that will ensure that (project) funds are first spent on the mission-critical portions of the program — the O’Hare Global Terminal and Satellite 1,” United said in a statement. “The Global Terminal has always been the centerpiece of this program and the crucial piece needed to ensure Chicago maintains its status as a global hub. Under this new phasing plan, we can deliver the most impactful elements of the modernization project the quickest.”
American Airlines also said it supported the proposal to move forward “in a way that protects the competitiveness of O’Hare.” But the carrier said work would be needed to keep the project within budget.
“The path ahead will be challenging, and we’ll all need to continue working together to get this project completed within the allotted budget,” the carrier said in a statement. “Keeping our customers, team and the enduring vitality of our Chicago hub at top of mind, we extend our steadfast commitment to working together with all stakeholders to deliver a modern airport that Chicago will be proud of – while keeping the project moving forward and vigilantly monitoring cost to preserve O’Hare’s status as an important connecting hub in our global network.”
Officials with the mayor’s office and the city aviation department did not immediately respond to questions about the project and the airlines’ response.
The airlines signed off on a broad $8.5 billion overhaul of the airport in 2018. The main feature of the rebuild was the soaring, 2.2 million-square-foot Global Terminal, designed by a team led by architect Jeanne Gang, which would more than double the space of the current Terminal 2 and add additional gates, and allow travelers to move more seamlessly between domestic and international flights.
But costs, largely financed by city bonds backed by airline fees, ballooned, and the project fell significantly behind schedule.
If any future changes in the scope of the project or budget arise, the airlines would have to sign off under the terms of their 2018 agreement with the city.
This is a developing story.