Aviation Aircraft Fuel Supply at Chicago O’Hare Airport

Chicago O'Hare International Airport is a major international airport located on the Northwest Side of Chicago, Illinois, approximately 17 miles (27 km) northwest of the Loop business district. It serves as a key hub for both domestic and international flights, connecting non-stop service to 249 destinations across North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the North Atlantic region as of Summer 2024. O'Hare is ranked as the 4th busiest airport in the United States and the 7th largest airport in the world, and it is considered the most connected airport in the United States and the 5th most connected globally.

The airport is equipped with eight runways, including the longest, 10L/28R, which spans 13,000 feet (3,962 m), followed by 10C/28C at 10,800 feet (3,292 m). Other significant runways include 9R/27L at 11,260 feet (3,432 m) and 9C/27C at 11,245 feet (3,427 m). Runway 22L is often used for takeoffs during "west flow" operations on the main runways, a common practice when air traffic demands favor such configurations. The airport also has a helipad, H1, measuring 200 feet (61 m). In 2023, O'Hare handled 720,582 aircraft movements, served 73,894,226 passengers, and processed 1,906,462.5 metric tons of cargo. The airfield is managed by three FAA air traffic control towers. O'Hare also has a voluntary nighttime (22:00–07:00) noise abatement program to minimize the impact of aircraft noise on surrounding communities. O'Hare features four passenger terminals, numbered 1 through 5, and nine concourses, with a total of 213 gates—the most of any airport in the world. Terminal 1 has 52 gates and is primarily used for international flights, while Terminal 2 serves regional and certain other domestic flights with 41 gates. Terminal 3 is dedicated to a variety of international and long-haul services, has 80 gates spread across four concourses. Terminal 5, with 35 gates on a single concourse, handles international arrivals and departures, including customs facilities. Terminals 1–3 are connected airside by a walkway, while Terminal 5 is separated by taxiways and can only be accessed from Terminals 1–3 by shuttle bus or the Airport Transit System, requiring rescreening for security checks. Noise abatement procedures are in effect from 2200 to 0700. All Part 91 and unscheduled Part 125, 133, and 135 charter operators must contact Signature Flight Support. The east and west gates are manned 24 hours a day. Aircraft are not permitted to stop on either Taxiway A or B bridges. Runway 10X supports the second straight-in ILS system I-IZJ on Runway 10R.