Facility to open in late 2023, enhancing CEA’s premier business offerings

Left to right: Wheeling Trustee Mary Papantos, Prospect Heights Acting Mayor Matthew Dolick, Hawthorne General Manager David Annin, CEA Board Chair D. Court Harris, Chapple Design Build President Peter Fazio, Jr. and CEA Executive Director Jeffrey Miller

Wheeling/Prospect Heights, IL, April 19, 2023 – Chicago Executive Airport (CEA), the fourth-busiest airport in Illinois, is pleased to announce today’s groundbreaking of Hawthorne Global Aviation Services’ 36,900-square facility to include Class A hangar and office space. Construction of the Hangar 22 project is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The new facility is in compliance with the airport’s Master Plan which has been approved by the Village of Wheeling and the City of Prospect Heights.

“We welcome Hawthorne’s significant investment at the airport and are excited about their expansion, especially the important addition of hangar space,” said CEA Chairman D. Court Harris. “These improvements will enhance the airport’s value as an important economic engine for our community.”

Hawthorne, a CEA fixed-based operator since 2014, is expanding its current footprint and operations at the airport. Once completed, Hangar 22 will provide new tax revenue, additional ground rent, and fuel flowage fees to the airport.

“This proposed space will help us better accommodate our customers and maintain the highest level of customer service our users have come to expect from us,” said David Annin, Hawthorne Global General Manager. “I want to thank Chicago Executive Airport for their support on this project.”

According to CEA Executive Director Jeff Miller, CEA has seen an increase in corporate and business flights. “The new Hawthorne hangar showcases our ability to work with key partners who share our interest in making Chicago Executive the premier destination for business and leisure travelers. We will continue to work with all stakeholders to pursue opportunities that allow us to invest in this important infrastructure,” said Miller.

About CEA

Chicago Executive Airport, jointly owned by the Village of Wheeling and City of Prospect Heights, is the fourth-busiest airport in Illinois and a top reliever for Chicago O’Hare and Midway airports.  With three premier fixed-base operators and many high-quality corporate charter operations, CEA is the hassle-free choice for executive and private planes bound for domestic and international destinations. A true community partner, CEA currently generates an estimated $4.1 million per year in tax revenue for local entities and $1.3 million for the state. Visit us at chiexec.com for additional information or follow us on Twitter @PWKChiExec.