The Federal Aviation Administration has approved a major expansion of Chicago O’Hare International Airport following an environmental review. The project, called Terminal Area Plan (TAP), includes a new O’Hare Global Terminal that will replace Terminal 2 and two new satellite concourses.

The TAP, according to an announcement, is a critical component of the O’Hare 21 plan, an ongoing investment in the airport’s terminals that will further support the breadth of air service that makes the facility one of the world’s busiest airports. Among other benefits, according to the announcement, the TAP will:
  • Maintain operational efficiency for existing and future air service
  • Improve the passenger experience with updated facilities and amenities
  • Provide increased gate flexibility for all sizes of aircraft
  • Reduce aircraft taxiing times and wait times for gates
  • Cohesively integrate all four O’Hare terminal facilities
  • Provide for significantly improved domestic and international connections.
The FAA’s decision clears the way for construction to begin on the satellite concourses and related airfield work when the ground thaws next spring. The current construction timeline calls for the first satellite concourse to be completed in 2027 and the second satellite concourse to reach completion in 2028.

Demolition of Terminal 2, the airport's oldest passenger facility, will occur in phases. The work is scheduled to begin in 2026, with a target completion date of 2030 for construction of the O’Hare Global Terminal.

Construction of a large tunnel connecting passengers, baggage and utilities between the O’Hare Global Terminal and the satellite concourses is anticipated to begin in 2024, with a construction completion date of 2030.

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