Traffic at Midway is decreasing

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 27: Passengers retrieve luggage from a baggage carousel after arriving at Midway Airport on a Southwest Airlines flight on May 27, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Beginning tomorrow, Southwest Airlines will begin to charge most passengers $35 for their first checked bag and $45 for their second, ending its longstanding free checked bag policy. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MAY 27: Passengers retrieve luggage from a baggage carousel after arriving at Midway Airport on a Southwest Airlines flight on May 27, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. Beginning tomorrow, Southwest Airlines will begin to charge most passengers $35 for their first checked bag and $45 for their second, ending its longstanding free checked bag policy. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Photo credit Scott Olson / Staff

Traffic at Midway Airport has decreased substantially over the past year, while the number of passengers at O'Hare is on the rise.

Flyers at Midway have decreased by around 780,000 year over year. A survey by localsinsider.com finds only Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport decreased ridership faster.

Things aren't as quiet at O'Hare. The study finds the number of passengers at ORD has risen by nearly 5.6% during the same time period.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Scott Olson / Staff