United Airlines O’Hare Airport Upgrades

United Airlines is set to invest millions of dollars into upgrading one of the busiest airports in the world.

Formerly the site of the world's most annual take offs and landings and the highest number of passengers, Chicago O'Hare is these days in fourth place, behind Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, Beijing and London Heathrow airports. Now, much of its infrastructure is to be upgraded through a multi-million investment from United Airlines, which will be used in several ways.

$13m will be used to implement 10 passenger loading bridges permitting direct access from Terminal 2 to United Airlines' regional aircraft parked outside. The first of these will go into operation next month and they'll all be finished by summer 2013.

There will also be a United Club constructed inside Terminal 2 at a cost of $10m and security upgrades inside Terminal 1, with $2m from United Airlines helping towards the overall $19.5m costs.

O'Hare Airport Upgrades

Finally, a medical centre is set to be added, exclusively for United Airlines workers. Standard check-ups will be offered alongside more advance medical treatments and this aspect of O'Hare airport's upgrades should be finished by 31 December 2012.

"We applaud the new and enhanced amenities and services that United Airlines is adding to O'Hare for both its passengers and its employees", CDA (Chicago Department of Aviation) Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino explained, in a statement. "Providing a world-class experience to our customers while focusing on safety and security have always been high priorities for the Chicago Department of Aviation. We're pleased to work with our partner United Airlines in making the investments and upgrades necessary to achieve those goals."

United Airlines O'Hare Airport

Chicago O'Hare is one of United Airlines' ten hubs: others include Denver International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport and Japan's Narita International Airport. The world's largest airline, it has roots going back to the mid-1920s and, in 2012, flies over 700 aircraft to almost 400 destinations around the world.

"These critical investments will make O'Hare a more modern, competitive airport for our residents", Rahm Emanuel, the Mayor of Chicago, added. "We continue to work to attract visitors and facilitate travel to and from Chicago, and these improvements by United will help us in this important mission."

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