Chicago is targeting new services from Asia-Pacific and Latin American airports as it takes centre stage as host of this year’s World Routes and very happy about the breadth of international delegates attending the event.
Rosemarie Andolino, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation, says she is “extremely” pleased with the level and scope of delegates attending this year’s World Routes in the city.
“Part of the route development is working with the destination airport because it’s important that we work collaboratively to not only meet additional airline personnel and decision makers, but also meeting airport decision makers,” she says.
“And for me, it’s more than just talking to the people. It’s about them seeing Chicago,” she adds.
The refurbished international terminal (T5) was opened at Chicago O’Hare in April after an extensive revamp, and Andolino is targeting more overseas business for the city’s two airports. She lists points in Asia-Pacific such as China, Taiwan and Australia, as well as the Indian subcontinent and Latin America as her prime targets for new business.
“We already service Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. But China continues to be a growing economy and we want to see additional service to additional locations to China as a whole,” says Andolino.
There is also a drive to grow traffic through upgauging of aircraft, says Andolino. “We’ve been talking to our existing carriers about bringing in larger aircraft, and they’re already asking about when we can handle the Airbus A380 – and it’s just around the corner,” she says.
Two gates at O’Hare’s Terminal 5 are to be redeveloped for the A380 with airbridges capable of two-deck boarding.
Source: Flight Daily News
