Increased fees at O'Hare anger airlines, threaten expansion plans

BY MARY WISNIEWSKI Transportation reporter

Sharply increased landing and rental fees at O'Hare International Airport have angered airlines, threatening the city's airport expansion plans. Airlines are being charged an increase of 15-17 percent in rental rates and 38 percent in landing fees. The landing fee increase is being used to fund prepayment of debt not scheduled to mature until after 2030, according to a Feb. 3 letter from United and American Airlines executives to Aviation Commissioner Rosemarie Andolino. READ MORE