Photo – 16-Acre Private Hangar Development Introduces a New Model for Business Aviation to Chicago and Generates Significant Regional Economic Impact –
Sky Harbour Group Corporation and Chicago Executive Airport commemorated the groundbreaking of a new 16-acre private aviation campus last week, marking one of the largest private infrastructure investments in the airport’s history and introducing Sky Harbour’s Home Base Operator (HBO) model to the Chicago region.
Expected to open in early 2028, the new campus will be designed exclusively for Sky Harbour Resident aircraft, offering aircraft owners and flight departments a private alternative to the traditional FBO model. The first phase of development will feature four private hangars ranging from 18,000 to 37,000 square feet, with adjoining suites, offices and parking, supported by full line service and fueling dedicated to Sky Harbour Residents.
The development is expected to create or sustain hundreds of local jobs and generate as much as $550 million in economic benefit for surrounding communities and the Greater Chicago region.
“Chicago Executive Airport is an important economic asset for our communities and the broader Chicago region, and this project represents a significant investment in its future,” said Jeff Miller, Executive Director of Chicago Executive Airport. “In addition to bringing much-needed hangar capacity to PWK, Sky Harbour is introducing a new approach to home basing designed around the needs of aircraft owners and flight departments. We’re excited to welcome that model to Chicago Executive Airport and further strengthen the range of options available to our aviation community.”
Owned jointly by the City of Prospect Heights and the Village of Wheeling, Chicago Executive Airport is a key reliever airport for Chicago O’Hare International Airport and serves approximately 100,000 corporate, charter, and recreational aircraft operations annually. Located approximately 10 miles north of O’Hare, PWK provides convenient access to Chicago and the surrounding region.
“Chicago is one of the country’s most important business aviation markets, and PWK is an exceptionally well-run airport in an ideal location for the Sky Harbour network,” said Tal Keinan, Chief Executive Officer of Sky Harbour. “We created Sky Harbour around a simple idea: an aircraft’s home base should be designed entirely around the needs of that aircraft, its owner and its flight department. Together with Chicago Executive Airport, the City of Prospect Heights and the Village of Wheeling, we look forward to bringing that experience to Chicago.”
Unlike traditional FBOs serving transient and based aircraft, Sky Harbour campuses are dedicated exclusively to Sky Harbour residents. The Home Base Operator model combines private hangars and suites with dedicated line service and fueling, enhanced privacy and security, and an environment designed to give aircraft owners and flight departments greater efficiency.
The PWK campus will expand Sky Harbour’s growing nationwide network while addressing strong demand for modern hangar infrastructure in the Chicago market.
