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Chicago Department of Aviation

Terminal 5 Expansion and Modernization


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Terminal 5 Expansion broke ground March 2019.  The first phase of the plan is approximately $1.2 billion investment towards the modernization of O'Hare.  At approximately 350,000 square feet the Terminal 5 expansion will:

  • 25 percent more gate capacity to improve efficiency and reduce delays
  • Expand the existing building by more than 300,000 SF
  • Renovate more than 750,000 SF of the existing building
  • Increase gate capacity by 25% with 10 new gates
  • Add 70% more airline lounge space
  • Add 75% more concessions and passenger amenities for an elevated dining and shopping experience
  • Enlarge, reconfigure, and refurbish interior spaces
  • Integrate new furniture and new technology throughout the facility
  • Expanded TSA Checkpoint
  • Reconfigure and add security check points to improve immigration and customs screening
  • Replace terminal Baggage Handling System to increase handling efficiencies
  • Support various capital improvement projects to replace and upgrade mechanical systems and architectural elements
  • Multi-story parking garage will provide additional short and long-term parking adjacent to the Terminal 5 building.

Up​on completion of the new gates, Delta Air Lines will relocate to Terminal 5 from its existing location in Terminal 2.   The move enables Delta and its SkyTeam alliance partners to mix domestic and international arrivals for use by foreign and domestic carriers, consolidating their operations into the same terminal to provide a better traveler experience.

Delta's move from Terminal 2 to Terminal 5 will allow for the improvements to Terminal 2 and the consolidation of gate usage for United and American Airlines.

Later phases of this project will include the expansion of the parking garage, improve roadway capacity and will expand and enhance curbside capabilities including:

  • Replacing 25-year-old baggage handling with a new state-of-the-art system, with baggage ID
  • A new parking garage to replace existing surface parking, which will yield 1,600 additional spaces adjacent to the terminal building
  • Multiple roadway enhancements to increase lanes and alleviate traffic bottleneck to and from O'Hare
  • Expanded curbside area to enhance drop off and to help passengers move more easily between Terminals 1, 2, 3​

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