American Air Is Battling Chicago Over a 'Secret' Deal With United
Skift Take
Isn't corporate posturing fun? American won't sign its Chicago lease because it fears United is getting a better deal. Since we're pretty sure American won't close its Chicago hub, we're betting this gets resolved. But how?
Just a few days after Chicago officials unveiled an ambitious plan to turn O'Hare International Airport into one of the world's most modern facilities, American Airlines is refusing to sign the lease that would help pay for the project, saying the city is favoring United Airlines, its main competitor.
At issue is what American spokeswoman Leslie Scott said is a "a secret provision, inserted at the last minute," awarding five extra gates to United. "The United gate deal creates a clear winner, United, and clear losers: namely, competition, Chicago travelers and American Airlines," she said.
The city expects to spend roughly $8.5 billion to modernize O'Hare, which remains among the world's busiest airports but has far fewer long-haul flights than many of its peers. Unlike many U.S. airports, it has not upgraded or expanded in recent years, and city officials fear it could fall further behind other domestic airports, including Los Angeles International and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, if it does not improve and grow. By 2026, O'Hare could have as many as 220 gates, up from 185.
American and United are bitter riv
