WORLD ROUTES: Chicago Reclaims Title as World's Busiest Airport for Flight Operations

One day after a successful World Routes concluded in Chicago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that, for the first time since 2004, O'Hare International Airport had regained its status as the world's busiest airport for flight operations.

From January to August 2014, more than 580,000 flights departed or landed at O'Hare, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. In 2014, Chicago's airports have experienced substantial growth in passenger activity, especially for international traffic. Through the first half of the year, international passenger volume is up eight per cent at O'Hare (5.2 million passengers) and 15 per cent at Midway (289,300).

"O'Hare isn't just the busiest airport in the world, it's an asset for the City of Chicago," said Mayor Emanuel. "These new gains will help us attract new businesses and solidify our place as the best connected city in the US and around the world."

In the last 18 months, O'Hare and Midway International Airports welcomed six new international airlines and added dozens of new destinations and Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie Andolino is confident talks during World Routes will result in more arrivals into the Chicago aviation network.

"On behalf of Mayor Emanuel, we want to thank World Routes and the delegates that travelled from all corners of the world to visit Chicago," said Commissioner Andolino. "Through the contacts made here, Chicago's airports will continue to grow service and choices for travellers."