Investment reaffirms airline’s commitment to Chicago customers and team members

CHICAGO — American Airlines celebrated the opening of a new hangar at its hub at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) today. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and a U.S. congressional delegation from Illinois joined David Seymour, Senior Vice President of Integrated Operations; Franco Tedeschi, Vice President of ORD Hub Operations; Jamie Rhee, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation; and ORD team members for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the new hangar to be used by American’s aviation maintenance technicians. The new facility, dubbed Hangar 2, is the largest hangar on the airfield at ORD, and its completion marks the carrier’s latest milestone reached in a series of major investments in Chicago.

(Left to right) Franco Tedeschi, Commissioner Jamie Rhee, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and David Seymour officially cut the ribbon on the new hangar. Photo courtesy of Brooke Collins/City of Chicago.
(Left to right) Franco Tedeschi, Commissioner Jamie Rhee, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and David Seymour officially cut the ribbon on the new hangar. Photo courtesy of Brooke Collins/City of Chicago.
“Our team of highly skilled aviation maintenance technicians works behind the scenes day and night to ensure that our aircraft are safe for our customers and team members,” said Seymour. “The new hangar is a welcome investment in our Maintenance team and a win for our customers, who will benefit from improved operational performance as a result of quicker maintenance.”

The $215 million investment in the new hangar and ground equipment building is the latest example in a long list of investments in ORD, including: American’s five new gates known as the L-Stinger, representing the first new gates at the airport in 25 years; a new Flagship Lounge; renovated Admirals Club lounges; and an expanding list of new destinations added to the ORD route network. These improvements set the framework for American to continue to grow its operation in Chicago and throughout the network.

“Today marks a watershed moment for O’Hare as we open the airport’s first new hangar in 30 years,” said Mayor Emanuel. “American Airlines recognizes the value of this investment, and I look forward to working with all of our airline partners as we continue transforming O’Hare and upholding Chicago’s status as a leading global gateway.”

The 191,000-square-foot structure, which is replacing a smaller hangar on the airfield, has increased bay capacity. The hangar is able to accommodate six narrowbody aircraft or two narrowbody aircraft and two widebody aircraft, including the Boeing 787, on which American operates international flights at ORD. The expanded space has allowed for more overnight workload capacity in the past month that it’s been open. Its high-tech features and updated workcenters provide more than 850 ORD maintenance team members with the most current tools to maintain the airline’s state-of-the-art aircraft.

“We are pleased to join our partners at American Airlines in celebrating O’Hare’s first new hangar building in over 30 years, and yet another step forward in our efforts to modernize operations at O’Hare,” said Rhee. “American’s new hangar follows a series of investments to expand service in Chicago, supporting O’Hare’s leading global connectivity. Through our continued collaboration with all airline partners, we will deliver modern new runways and facilities to improve service for travelers while powering more economic opportunity for our city.”

“Chicago residents and visitors alike are fortunate to have one of the best airports in the world in O’Hare, and the opening of its largest aircraft hangar helps strengthen that status,” added Rep. Mike Quigley. “I applaud American Airlines for their commitment to operational advancements, which will improve safety and efficiency for passengers and better support the dedicated employees who make these trips possible.”