DuPage Plans 75,000 Square Feet of New Hangar Space

Chicago's DuPage Airport is planning to add 75,000 square feet of new hangar space, reflecting record fuel sales and "dramatic growth" in its based jet fleet.

"Since the opening of a 6,700-foot runway and a U.S. Customs office in 1996, DuPage Airport has experienced a surge in business-jet traffic," states a DuPage release. "The number of based turbine aircraft has jumped from 22 in 1994 to 58 today. Fuel sales have climbed to more than 2.5 million gallons per year."

Private investors and the airport are planning and constructing new hangars to house the increased traffic. More than 45,000 square feet currently are under construction and an additional 30,000 square feet are planned.

The DuPage Airport Authority is building a four-bay, 20,000-square-foot jet hangar and is renovating a 12,000-square-foot facility into a jet bay. Planemaster, a charter and maintenance FBO, is building a 13,000-square-foot high-tail hangar adjacent to its existing three-bay facility. Scott Aviation, a charter, maintenance and flight-school FBO, is proposing a 33,000-square-foot high-tail bay.

"Our new hangar space, combined with the longest runway in the Chicago region outside of O'Hare and great customer service, helps position us as the ideal airport for business aircraft in Chicago," said DuPage Airport executive director Gordon Cole.