Speech

O’Hare Runway Dedication

Thank you, and good morning.

It’s great to be here at the airport that lots of people call the busiest spot in all of aviation. That’s one of those arguments that will go on forever, but whatever the outcome, one thing is certain.

O’Hare is a fulcrum — the airport on which a great deal of the airspace hinges.

As we were coming in on final approach just now, I could see that the modernization project is coming along quite nicely. There’s a lot of construction going on, and in the end, O’Hare will continue to be the airport by which all others are measured.

You know, I used to fly out of here quite a bit when I was with United. And in all those years, there was never an airport that could quite match this one for its ability to draw a community together. Just look at this crowd.

Now some people may wonder what all the pomp and circumstance is about. It’s just a runway.

But we know better.

We know that aviation is an engine of freedom and economic power.

You’ll be glad to know that the FAA is working with other airports on various airfield projects so that they, too, can experience the same benefits that Chicago is about to.

Dallas/Ft. Worth is expected to open an end-around taxiway next month. Philadelphia is getting a runway extension by the spring of next year. Also in 2009, Boston Logan is opening a centerfield taxiway. And Charlotte will have a new runway by 2010. Let it be said that when you keep airports strong, you keep communities strong.

It takes sheer political will and leadership to get to that point. And I want to thank the Mayor, the City Council, Rosie Andolino and the state for having the forethought to come together to get this project off the ground — or on the ground, as the case may be.

Let me tell you, Nine Left Twenty-Seven Right is a beautiful sight. In the days ahead, there are going to be a lot of tire marks on the runway. And that’s a good thing. Tire marks mean it’s doing what it’s supposed to do — free up delays and keep the planes moving. And that’s so important with Thanksgiving coming up next week.

The runway, combined with the extension of Runway Ten that was commissioned in September, is a very important first step in O’Hare’s modernization plans.

In the coming years, we’ll see another new runway and the relocation of two existing ones, all of which will translate into greater efficiency and capacity in the future.

So take a bow, Chicago. You’re showing everyone how to get things done. The aviation world is looking at you right now and they’re taking notes.

Thank you.