The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) experienced a record year for air services expansion—with nearly 50 new domestic and international routes added at both O’Hare and Midway International Airports combined in 2018. Chicago’s international passenger growth has remained particularly strong in 2018, with O’Hare launching a record 17 new international routes and five more already announced for 2019. With every international route added generating a significant impact to the local economy, O’Hare’s 2018 growth in international air services will drive an approximately $575 million annual economic impact for the Chicago area.  With Chicago’s airline partners continued investments, O’Hare and Midway continue to serve more passengers, and more destinations, every year. This year, Chicago became one of only six cities globally to have nonstop passenger air service to all six major inhabited regions of the world – Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America – a reflection of Chicago’s strong air connectivity. Chicago’s strong air connectivity was celebrated again in September 2018. O’Hare was recognized by OAG (a leading air travel intelligence company) as the most connected airport in the nation for domestic air service and second-most connected in the world after London-Heathrow. O’Hare has been acknowledged as the most connected U.S. airport for three consecutive years. For more information on estimations served from O’Hare and Midway, please visit www.ohare21.com