Gary/Chicago Airport Reports Growth
Officials expect operations to increase even more by year's end.
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Gary/Chicago International Airport says airport operations have increased over the last year and continue to rise. The airport says operations are up 13.2 percent in 2015.
The airport reported nearly 24,000 total operations at the end of November, up from just over 22,000 at the end of 2014. The total number of operations for 2015 will increase once the figures for December are counted.
The number of airport tenants increase from 93 to 107 since the end of 2014. The airport says it was helped by the addition of the Chicago Helicopter Experience and attracted and expanded new and private tenants.
“This has been a year of significant growth at the airport,” said airport chairman Stephen Mays. “With major milestones – such as the Runway Expansion Project – behind us, we will channel this positive momentum to drive growth at the airport in 2016 and plan for long-term development.”
The airport authority board is also looking to update its master plan to guide development at the airport over the next 20 years. Earlier this month, it released a request for qualifications for a master plan update, seeking qualified firms to provide engineering and planning services.
“This is an exciting time at the airport and we are looking ahead to 2016,” said airport executive director Dan Vicari. “The Updated Master Plan will help us take advantage of the momentum built this year and help generate ideas and successes for the future.”
The board is expecting follow-up conversations in the coming months with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol regarding plans for a potential customs facility. Airport and U.S. Customs representatives met earlier this month to review the plans.