Impact & Plans

History

DuPage Airport is located on land originally used for agricultural purposes. In 1927, two Chicago entrepreneurs acquired the property and began barnstorming operations from a grass landing strip. In 1941, the U.S. Navy requisitioned the site, constructing brick hangars, paving two intersecting runways, and establishing a pilot training facility in support of World War II operations. In 1942, the Howard Aircraft Corporation established a manufacturing facility east of the airport, producing more than 500 trainer, transport, and air ambulance aircraft for military use. The airport was officially activated in March 1943. Many of the original hangars and runway configurations remain in use today, with one former runway now designated as Taxiway C.

Following the war, the U.S. Navy sold the airport to DuPage County in 1946 for one dollar. During the postwar growth period, the airport expanded to meet increasing regional demand, adding an east–west runway, constructing a five-story air traffic control tower, and planning for continued development.

In the late 1970s, DuPage Airport was designated a reliever airport for general aviation. In the early 1980s, the DuPage Airport Authority initiated a significant expansion program to accommodate increased aviation activity while preserving long-term operational flexibility. Learning from the constraints faced by landlocked airports, the Authority pursued strategic land acquisition to maintain adequate buffer zones around airfield operations.

Between 1985 and 1992, the airport expanded from approximately 900 acres to 2,800 acres. In 1993, the DuPage Flight Center opened as the primary terminal facility, offering 24-hour operations including fueling, hangar leasing, FAA air traffic control services, on-site U.S. Customs, ground transportation, dining, crew amenities, and concierge services. During this period, the primary runway was extended to 7,571 feet, making it the longest runway in the Chicagoland area outside of O’Hare International Airport.

In 1994, Prairie Landing Golf Club an award-winning, Scottish links-style public course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. opened on airport property. The course provides revenue generation, stormwater management, and land-use buffering for airport operations. In 2012, the secondary runway (2R/20L) was extended to a total length of 6,443 feet. In 2013, a new Airfield Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) facility was completed on the northwest side of the airfield.

Today, DuPage Airport is internationally recognized as a premier general aviation facility serving business, recreational, and corporate aviation users.

Economic Impact

DuPage Airport plays a vital role in the regional and state economy by supporting aviation activity, business development, and employment opportunities.

State of Illinois Economic Impact Analysis (December 2021)

Airport Master Plan

The DuPage Airport Authority is advancing a comprehensive capital improvement program designed to maximize the development potential of both airside and landside assets.  
 
Guided by a Master Plan developed in 2010 by LeighFisher, a globally recognized leader in airport planning, the Authority is strategically increasing airfield capacity, planning new hangar facilities to support business aviation, enhancing general aviation infrastructure, and optimizing the current and future use of undeveloped land. 

Capital investments are funded through the Authority’s annual tax levy, which is dedicated exclusively to capital assets, safety, and security. Through this long-term planning and disciplined investment approach, the DuPage Airport Authority is positioning DuPage Airport as the premier general aviation airport in the nation.