Travelers walk through Terminal 3 at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

O’Hare and Midway airports are expected to see more than 1.8 million travelers during the Thanksgiving holiday season, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation.

Nearly 1.5 million travelers are expected to pass through O’Hare — an 11% increase in passenger traffic compared to last year, the Chicago Department of Aviation said in a news release. At Midway, traffic levels are projected to remain consistent with last year.

“Safety is our top priority, and we remain committed to providing a smooth and welcoming travel experience at O’Hare and Midway, ensuring passengers can focus on what truly matters — spending time with their loved ones,” CDA Commissioner Jamie Rhee said in a statement.

The city projected a bustling Thanksgiving holiday travel season between Tuesday, Nov. 26, and Monday, Dec. 2. Sunday is expected to be the busiest travel day for Chicago’s airports.

O’Hare is expected to see more than 254,000 passengers on Sunday, while Midway is expected to draw more than 58,000 passengers, according to a news release.

The auto club and insurance company AAA predicts more than 4 million Illinoisans will travel 50 miles or more for the Thanksgiving holiday — the vast majority traveling by car.

Travelers wait to drop off their bags and walk through Terminal 3 at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Across the country, the Thanksgiving holiday is poised to be a busy travel season for air travel, according to federal officials.

“This will be the busiest Thanksgiving ever in terms of air travel,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske said during a news briefing last week. “That’s not a surprise given the incredible recovery in air travel in the United States since the pandemic.”

FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker said the federal agency would be closely watching the weather, which he said is the biggest source of delays for travelers. Travelers could also be impacted by delays brought on by airline staffing shortages and a 1-day strike on Monday led by service workers at Charlotte International Airport.

To avoid traffic congestion at O’Hare and Midway, the city recommends the following tips:

• Use the free cell phone lots at O’Hare and Midway while waiting to pick up a passenger. The O’Hare Cell Phone Lot is at 560 N. Bessie Coleman Drive, and the Midway Cell Phone Lot is located at West 61st Street and South Cicero Avenue. 
• Kiss n’ Fly drop-offs are located at both airports. At Midway, passengers can be dropped off at West 59th Street and South Kilpatrick Avenue and take a short walk into the terminals. At O’Hare, passengers can be dropped off at the Multi-Modal Facility, 10255 W. Zemke Blvd., and board the airport transit system for a short ride to all terminals. 
• The CTA Blue Line offers 24/7 service to O’Hare, while the CTA Orange Line services Midway.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact Eunice Alpasan: @eunicealpasan | 773-509-5362 | [email protected]