Traffic quadruples at DPA during NATO

Traffic at DuPage Airport (DPA) in Chicago quadrupled May 21 as a result of  Temporary Flight Restrictions over the city of Chicago during the NATO conference.

Officials at the general aviation facility said the of traffic “far exceeded” their expectations.

“It speaks well for the airport that we were able to handle it without delays, because we have the runway length, the hangar capacity and the personnel who are capable of handling that volume in stride,” said DuPage Airport Executive Director David Bird.

He noted that on a daily basis, the airport normally sells 7,000 gallons of aviation fuel, but the day of the NATO conference, it sold 28,200 gallons. Most of the flights accommodated by DuPage were diverted from major commercial airports such as O’Hare and Midway where flight patterns were affected by the Temporary Flight Restrictions.

The west suburban airport has four active runways, a 1 million square foot apron and two ILS approaches. The longest runway spans 7,570 feet and is the second longest runway in the Chicago area after O’Hare Airport. Aside from O’Hare and Midway, DuPage is the only facility in the region with a 24-hour control tower, and is also equipped with a 24/7 Airfield Rescue and Fire Fighting Vehicle.

For more information: DuPageAirport.com

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