or if a unified transit police force is necessary.

Every 30 seconds a plane takes off or lands in Chicago.

Some of you may even be on one of them this weekend to enjoy the holiday.

The city's airports have worked around the clock for decades to connects Chicago to the world, but constant service presents constant challenges.

Joining us to talk about modernizing the airports will still need in travelers needs is the commissioner of Chicago's Department of Aviation, Michael McMurray.

Commissioner, thanks for joining us.

Thank you for inviting.

So what can travelers expect at Chicago airports this weekend?

>> Well, this will be one of the busiest weekends in 4th of July 8th.

here's history during the 4th of July weekend between both of our airports.

We expecting about 2 million passengers, the pass through our airports.

So I would highly advised passengers to arrive early and pack their patience.

Yeah, you're going to be >> You took over as aviation commissioner last many critical time, of course, row.

Here's expansion concession contracts and more.

What experience bring to the role?

How how did you step in as a newcomer?

Well, I have a background background in government in aviation and procurement as well as background in construction in the private sector.

So a strong understanding of how these fields a line and what good collaboration looks like between, you know, public sector and private sector, which is critical in key in my role at Chicago Department of Aviation because aviation is a business of collaboration and partnership.

Ok, obviously, partnership with other airlines as well.

In addition to the other vendors and contractors, you have to work actually.

How would you say then you've navigated relationships with, you know, the mayor's Office City Council, other airports, stakeholders during your first year?

You know, again, it's great it again.

This is a business of collaboration.

And and received all the support that I mean, obviously from the mayor's office in our airline partners, both at O'Hare and Midway Airports have been fantastic.

How do you sort of tackle any challenge is that there might be with, you know, council members or other stakeholders in the city who might not agree with some of the changes of the steps that are being taken, the money that's being spent?

Well, you know, as you know, everybody Council members, the city, our airline partners, we all understand how critical here is to the National Aviation System.

And we we all understand how important it is to continue to invest in our airport system.

We have one of the most comprehensive airport systems in the world was one of the most connected import systems in the world.

And I think we all understand that is very important for this generation of Chicagoans to continue to invest in our airport system and particularly here and our facilities to make sure that they are sustainable digital and and able to meet the capacity that we have at our airports.

Speaking of, you know, here is in the process of a major expansion to the tune of about 1.0, 4, 5 billion dollars.

What can you tell us about that expansion project share?

So right now here, we have Capital Improvement project going on.

That's or D next.

That's the on 8.8 billion Dollar Capital improvement program, which consist of 2 new concourse is and also a global terminal, which is the centerpiece of program itself.

The program, the Construction project launched last summer.

We broke ground on a Concours D this past fall and that Concord's the is 1.4 billion dollars.

It consists of a 10590,000 Square feet.

19 new gates, more comfortable and modern spaces for passengers, greater flexibility across aircraft, tides.

And it's it's about the smoother connection between domestic and international flights, particularly for help of carriers.

Okay paying for that.

airline partners are and they've been great.

They've there.

here in Midway, we're very grateful for the investments that both of our major airlines, American and United are hometown airline, that they've continued to make at our airport there in over the years and it midway, it's Southwest Airlines.

>> Will any of will passengers at travelers?

Will they be impacted by this construction?

Will they notice now?

You you right now at Concours do here, a lot of preparation had has gone into preparing that site for the construction of Concours D you know, going forward, you'll see very if if any effects on operations because of the preparation that went into that, that work to start.

Interestingly enough in a couple of weeks, passengers there.

We'll see at O'Hare will see a 14 foot tall crane on on construction site for Concourse which will be interesting to see and 14 foot crane, you know, on the world's busiest air field.

Yeah.

>> So the Federal Aviation Administration, ordered the cut of about 300 flights a day this summer at O'Hare in the announcement.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said, quote, applying that same strategy at O'Hare where unrealistic schedules were set to dramatically exceed what they could handle will reduce delays and make this busy summer travel season a little easier.

What was your reaction to a cut of size?

Well, you know, I think it's important to remember first and foremost that the the restrictions on flight, the temporary limitations on on flights temporary.

>> And they only last through October of this year and they still allow for growth.

When you look at last summer compared to this summer, at the end of the here has one of the most robust airfields in the World.

8 runways, more than any other commercial airport on the planet.

And we feel at the Department of Aviation feels that we're able to efficiently and safely operate.

I've airfield without any restrictions limitations on the market.

At the end of the day, we all agree.

All parties agree here is so critical to the national aviation system that it deserves and the highest levels of air traffic controllers training procedures and infrastructure needed to make sure that we continue to grow at the airport.

One of the things that we doing at that Chicago Department of Aviation is investing in infrastructure, investing in those facilities, which again is part of RD next program here.

Okay.

So what would you say has been the impact of those slight cut so You know, it's early you know, we still collecting the statistics on it.

The cuts just win June.

2nd.

And so, you know, doing this very short period, we've seen some delays, but those delays have been consistent with what we've seen historically, right.

So due to weather events past performance and really as result here being for 2 of the busiest air lines, you know, in the world, you know, you hair deserves and needs, of course, like the most the most high at the highest rained on the air traffic controllers, et cetera.

And with so many changes in the federal workforce, what is the pipeline like for, you know, new Essential airport staff like TSA or air traffic control?

I think that's more of a question for the federal government.

But I do know that they are working very hard.

>> To have more air traffic controllers for this is not just here at O'Hare but nationwide.

Okay.

We'll talk hear a lot and we don't forget about midway.

infrastructure improvements going on there.

We know like the interior, the terminal at Midway on has has undergone a lot of changes there.

Any infrastructure happening there as You know, just last year we had our we underwent are completed.

Are 47 million dollars midway modernization program where we upgraded and prioritize our main runway here mainly around safety features.

But, you know, this year we've seen positive momentum at Midway Airport, particularly in terms of passenger growth.

So we just for the 1st quarter of this year, we posted positive growth at Midway International Airport.

And that's primarily due to the investment that I mean, Kerry and their southwest is made and also front here.

And and you know, also later this month, we'll be going to city Council take a stand.

The agreements we have with our private aircraft operators at midway be investing 150 million dollars in airport facilities there.

More investments there.

That is where we'll have to leave