“This is a drop in the bucket, compared to what Chicago has lost,” said Steve Whitney, president of the Friends of Meigs Field. “A downtown business airport like Meigs is worth its weight in gold to the economy.” His organization has documented over $490 million in annual spending by Meigs users prior to its demolition, Whitney said. “The economic losses are staggering. Not only from the loss of business by Meigs users, but also by the additional delays caused by displaced traffic at O’Hare and Midway.” Friends of Meigs will continue to lobby to reopen the airport as a combination park/airport/air museum. “The key is to capitalize on Meigs as an airport to benefit both aviation and Chicago parks,” Whitney said.
No Comfort To Friends Of Meigs
Key Takeaways:
- The demolition of Meigs Field resulted in staggering economic losses for Chicago, estimated by the Friends of Meigs Field at over $490 million annually from lost business and increased delays at other airports.
- Advocates emphasize the high economic value of a downtown business airport like Meigs, describing it as "worth its weight in gold" to the economy.
- The Friends of Meigs Field organization continues to lobby for the airport's reopening, proposing a unique combination of a park, airport, and air museum to benefit both aviation and Chicago parks.
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