Gary/Chicago International Airport

A Nod to Resuming Commercial Airline Routes

This Fast-Growing Gem of an Airport is Hard at Work Welcoming Commercial and Facility Expansion

Dan Vicari, Executive Director of Gary/Chicago International Airport, has much to be happy about these days. With the construction of phase one underway for a new cargo apron facility, the green light given for the eventual construction of a new traffic control tower, within reach of the reinstatement of a commercial service, as well as recently completing upgrades to its terminal facilities, Gary/Chicago is giving its aviation counterparts a run for their money.

Based just 25 miles outside of downtown Chicago and within a short drive to Lake Michigan, Gary/Chicago is ideally located. The airport serves its role perfectly as a central business, general aviation, cargo, and soon-to-be commercial hub that will, in short order, provide residents of Gary, Indiana, a direct route out of the city without having to detour to nearby Chicago O’Hare or Midway.

Equipped with an unparalleled US Customs facility that provides the very best technology and modern amenities, an upgraded parking area, and a welcoming atmosphere, Vicari is more than aware that his airport is in an ideal position for even further growth and expansion. Boasting a runway that is just short of 9,000 square feet, making it the Chicago region’s second longest runway, after O’Hare International Airport. This dynamic airport can land just about any aircraft, giving it an edge over other airports of a similar size.

With an eye to additional capital upgrades and business leasing opportunities, Gary/Chicago International Airport is flying high through the second half of 2025.

Cargo Routes Moving Forward

Viewed as a bit of a cargo hub due to its location, Gary/Chicago International is seeing potential for targeted growth within its overall logistics capabilities.

“For cargo, we have daily operations with UPS. We started this in 2020, and it has been very successful,” Vicari relays.

As part of a long-term goal to increase its cargo capabilities, Vicari and his team have recently extended UPS’s long-term lease at the airport and will remain engaged with cargo operations for at least an additional 5 years. Vicari explains that this is reflective of its aim to relocate UPS operations to a new air cargo apron facility that the airport has already started preliminary construction on.

“The board has approved $15 million in contracts for the construction of phase one of a cargo ramp that will support UPS and others to operate. This is in the new area of the airport that was acquired when we extended our main runway back in 2015 and finished that project.

“There are about 100 acres in this area that we will develop into an air cargo logistics facility.”

Vicari notes that phase one will accommodate up to eight wide-body aircraft at one time and will be completed by late Q4 of 2025. Phase two will be able to provide for an additional 10 aircraft positions, bringing the total number of aircraft to 18.

Landing Commercial Services

One priority that remains top of the aviation agenda for Gary/Chicago International is the reinstatement of a dedicated commercial service directly out of Gary to provide local residents an opportunity to fly out of their local airport.

Vicari points out that they are close to meeting this goal, and any work they have carried out in recent years, coupled with the work that is currently underway, is reflective of this goal, facilitating an easy transition in resuming commercial operations.

“We have kept our part 139 certification, and we are talking to air carriers about restarting service.”

“We had a service with Allegiant up until 2013 when we were in the throes of our runway extension project,” Vicari recalls. “There was just too much construction going on at the time to have a favorable operation with Allegiant. So they left, and we are trying to get them back at this point.

Vicari is also pushing the idea of a landline connection to O’Hare, but this is in the early stages of discussion for the time being. He also points out that although the airport is pursuing Allegiant, they are speaking to other airlines as well.

What would be beneficial, he relays, is resuming flights connecting through O’Hare, where there are larger airline partners that could broaden the number of connecting flights passengers can make to other destinations.

Infrastructure Priorities are Taking Off.

While all the pieces come together at Gary/Chicago International, Vicari notes that ongoing work has been underway over the course of the last 18 months to renovate the passenger terminal.

“This has been a complete renovation for the parking lot, lighting, the front entry, the baggage handling system, the TSO baggage checkpoint, the hold room and its seating, the lounge, and passenger bridges.”

“The only original facet in the building is the concrete floor and the steel structure,” he elaborates.

“We also have two new corporate hangars under construction. One is a 47,000-foot hangar for a company that manages aircraft for high-net-worth individuals, and the second is about 25,000 square feet for an existing tenant that will be expanding its services.”

This represents expansion at the eastern end of the airport. The larger hangar will be completed in October of this year, and the other is slated for completion in July 2026, Vicari highlights.

Other capital improvement projects Vicari is in the process of completing are the installation of a sanitary sewer and a fuel pipeline that will feed the air cargo facility and will also serve the rest of the airport. The project remains in the design phase; however,  Vicari points out, the airport has been awarded $9.8 million in funding to tackle this infrastructure upgrade.

“We have also been updating our snow removal fleet to ensure that we meet the necessary response time for snow removal at the airport,” Vicari states.

One of the more exciting infrastructure developments, Vicari notes, is the eventual addition of a new air traffic control tower.

“We were one of 20 airports in the last round of terminal and air traffic control towers that were awarded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure  Law Grant program. The airport is in the design phase currently and will be going out to bid this August to provide numbers to the FAA to apply for the construction grant to begin breaking ground.

Cruising Ahead

With all the positive developments unfolding at Gary/Chicago International, it is little wonder that the team is very optimistic about its success moving forward.

As the airport sets its radar towards completion of the projects on its books, it is also turning its attention this summer to the annual Chicago Air Show and the Gary Air Show.

“There was a little hiatus a few years back because of a lack of funding. We returned it, however, in 2023, and every year we host the Chicago Air Show, which is staged at the Gary Airport.”

The show itself is along the shores of Lake Michigan from Oak Street Beach to North Avenue Beach. The Gary Airshow is held along the Gary Marquette Park Lakefront and plays host to the Thunderbirds, drawing in spectators from the area.

The staging area around the Gary/Chicago Airport is a sight in itself, Vicari explains. The airport opens its parking lot for a small fee, and aviation enthusiasts can park and watch the arrival and departure of the aircraft heading to the airshow.

“Last year, over two days, we had about 1,200 cars come through. It is pretty popular and we offer food truck vendors- everything from hot dogs to pizza, and last year we added a beer garden,” Vicari enthuses.

As for the anticipation of the return of commercial service, Vicari offers the proof that is in the pudding.

“I can’t go anywhere, whether it’s a restaurant or out in the community, without someone tapping me on the shoulder asking what the status is of the commercial service because they are looking forward to it- some options that they can take advantage of locally without the headache of driving to O’Hare or Midway.”

Being asked repeatedly while out and about is a pretty nice problem to have. This is one further sign that there is nowhere but an upward trajectory for this thriving airport near the lake, with clear skies navigating ahead.

AT A GLANCE

Who: Gary/Chicago International Airport

What: A dynamic and fast growing airport with an increased cargo and soon to be reinstated commercial service road ahead, as infrastructure projects in and around the airport pave the way forward

Where: Gary, Indiana

Website: www.flygyy.com