Chicago keeps bringing the heat! O’Hare sets summer record with 25 million travelers

O’Hare International Airport handled more than 25 million passengers from June through August, setting a summer record for the second consecutive year. Traffic rose about 2.7% from the previous record, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation, as reported by the City of Chicago’s announcement.

Per CDA Data, the airport averaged nearly 275,000 passengers a day during the three-month period. More than 8 million travelers passed through O’Hare each month, with June reaching about 8.23 million, July totaling 8.54 million, and August recording about 8.24 million, the data confirmed.

The summer total included more than 20.4 million domestic passengers and nearly 4.6 million international travelers. July was the busiest month in the airport’s history, according to the city.

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Growth continues despite flight limits

The record came as the Federal Aviation Administration limited summertime flights at O’Hare to reduce delays. United Airlines and American Airlines had planned to increase service from the Chicago hub, which would have pushed peak daily operations above 3,000 flights—nearly 15% higher than the prior year’s summer schedule.

United, O’Hare’s largest carrier, transported more than 11.6 million passengers at the airport during the summer, Chicago Business Journal reported. United executives have warned that flight restrictions could remain in place beyond late 2027 as airport construction continues, CBS Chicago confirmed.

The combination of strong demand and limited flight capacity highlights the pressure facing one of the nation’s busiest airports. O’Hare’s record traffic also comes as airlines seek room to expand their Chicago operations.

Read more on Chicago Star

• O’Hare, one of the nation’s busiest airports, breaks ground on the New Concourse E

• No room to land? FAA puts the brakes on O'Hare flight increases until October 2027

• O’Hare flight caps announced as it competes with Atlanta for “World’s Busiest Airport”

• Surging fuel costs drive rising holiday airfare and possible flight cuts, United Airlines says 

• O’Hare offers first look at new $1.3B Concourse D 

ORDNext aims to add capacity

Chicago is advancing ORDNext, an $8.8 billion modernization program designed to expand gates and replace older terminal facilities. The project includes a new global terminal and additional concourses.

Michael McMurray, Chicago’s aviation commissioner, said in the City of Chicago’s statement that “Back-to-back record summers make the case for continuing to invest in O’Hare’s future.” He said the program would support airline growth and serve travelers for generations.

Construction continues on the 19-gate New Concourse D, which is scheduled to open in 2028. The city also plans to begin the first phase of Concourse E, with 14 gates expected to open in 2030.

The modernization work is expected to continue through 2034, while construction-related limits on taxiways and flight operations remain part of the airport’s expansion plans.