WEST CHICAGO, IL – DuPage Airport has completed a two-year, $4.2 million upgrade to its passenger and crew areas. The project includes an updated lobby and renovated restrooms, state-of-the-art crew lounges, new customer entrances, and upgraded facilities for the U.S. Customs.
“To meet the expectations of today’s business aviation customer, an FBO must evolve, and having a world-class facility enables us to serve travelers from around the globe. We think we now have facilities that are both comfortable and functional,” said David Bird, Executive Director of DuPage Airport Authority.
Among the many improvements included in the project are more comfortable passenger and crew areas, a fitness room with cardio equipment and free weights and an updated and improved restaurant. The new pilot and crew conveniences include a kitchen and dining lounge, theater/television lounge and a quiet room with sleeping accommodations. The Flight Center continues to provide 24/7 concierge services and on-site car rental.
This winter, DuPage unveiled a new $1.6 million Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighting (ARFF) station. The 4,700-square-foot station operates 24/7 and houses two ARFF vehicles, including a 1,500-gallon Rosenbauer Panther that the DAA purchased in 2007 for $600,000. ARFF services are provided by trained personnel in the West Chicago Fire Protection District through an intergovernmental agreement between the two agencies.
Currently underway at DuPage is an $11 million widening of the primary runway to provide increased crosswind capacity for aircraft operations. The widening is scheduled for completion in 2014.
Located just one hour west of the heart of Chicago, DuPage Airport and Flight Center has four active runways, two ILS approaches, and a 1 million-square-foot apron. DuPage’s primary runway is the longest in Chicagoland outside of O’Hare Airport, officials note.
Home to many corporate flight departments, the airport experiences more than 80,000 takeoffs annually.
For more information: www.dupageflightcenter.com
Tom K. says
I’m based at KDPA because it’s a marvelous facility with great staffing, both on the ground and in the tower. I recommend it highly. Flying around Chicago’s busy airspace can be a challenge, but the folks at DuPage do their part to make it a pleasure.