World Renowned Aviation Expert Says the South Suburban Airport Would Be a “Game Changer” for Chicago and Illinois

World Renowned Aviation Expert Says the South Suburban Airport Would Be a “Game Changer” for Chicago and Illinois (Hazel Crest, IL) — A world-renowned expert on aviation says that the Chicago metro area is “underperforming” as an aviation powerhouse because it lacks sufficient capacity to handle the region’s air travel demands for commerce and tourism, both domestically and internationally.

Ms. Angela Gittens added that new airports are built based on the needs of the community – not the needs of airlines.  “The market draws in the airlines; the airlines don’t draw in the market … airlines come and go and change their minds … just ask Pittsburgh, where US Air abruptly stopped service years ago,” Gittens told Southland business and community leaders Monday in Hazel Crest.

Gittens served as CEO of Atlanta Hartsfield and Miami International Airports and held top jobs at major airports in San Francisco, Canada and London, England, before serving 12 years as executive director of Airport Council International, the world’s leading aviation think tank and association. 

Having studied the Chicago market for years, Gittens said the proposed South Suburban Airport could become “one of the most important airports in the world” and be a global leader in emerging innovative aviation technologies, such as a “net-zero” carbon buildings, drone operations and the development of “green” aviation fuels. 

“It will be a lot easier and cheaper for a new airport to undertake such development than for mature airports,” she said. 

“The Chicago market is underperforming compared to other major metropolitan areas …because of its capacity problems,” she said.  “The Chicago market can sustain another airport.” 

“That would be a game-changer,” she said, speaking of the potential to develop new technologies at SSA.  “It would put a spotlight on the airport, and I can tell you there would be other airports and users that would want to do it because South Suburban Chicago’s doing it.  We’re not going to be left behind by Chicago.”

World Renowned Aviation Expert Says the South Suburban Airport Would Be a “Game Changer” for Chicago and Illinois