Chicago Midway International (KMDW), Illinois
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Chicago Midway International (KMDW) is a Class B towered airport located about six nautical miles from downtown Chicago, Illinois, making it one of the more traffic-dense general aviation and business aviation gateways in the region. The field reports 202,730 total annual operations for 2025 according to FAA TFMSC data, with 43,969 of those attributed to business aviation. On-site CBP inspection services are available along with a USDA compliance agreement, and both 100LL and Jet A fuel are offered under an all-hours attendance schedule.
Runways
Chicago Midway International has four paved runways. The longest, 13L/31R, is 6,522 ft long and 150 ft wide, with an asphalt and concrete surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Chicago Midway International has Jet A1+ and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available 24 hours a day, every day, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Chicago Midway International has US Customs and Border Protection clearance available onsite, with general clearance for international arrivals. A USDA compliance agreement is in place.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Chicago Midway International recorded 43,969 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in September and October. Business aviation traffic at Chicago Midway Intl concentrates in the spring through fall months, peaking in September before tapering through the winter.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month September, 4,443 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Chicago Midway International averages 8.0 days above 90°F in July and 27.0 freeze days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 85.0°F, and January the coldest, at 32.7°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Chicago Midway International has published operating constraints in six categories: access, runway notes, emergency arresting systems, noise procedures, environmental and pavement strength.
The airport is closed to solo student training.
Taxiway A is closed to aircraft with a wingspan over 94 feet.
Taxiway F is closed to aircraft with a wingspan over 94 feet.
Runway 13R/31L is closed to flight operations when an aircraft with a wingspan over 79 feet is on taxiway F.
Runway 04L/22R is not available for Part 121/Part 380 operations involving scheduled passenger-carrying flights with more than 9 passenger seats, or non-scheduled passenger-carrying flights with more than 30 passenger seats.
Runway 13R/31L is not available for Part 121/Part 380 operations involving scheduled passenger-carrying flights with more than 9 passenger seats, or non-scheduled passenger-carrying flights with more than 30 passenger seats.
Runway 04L has an approach ratio of 19:1 at the displaced threshold. Trees are located 178 feet left, 1,313 feet from the displaced threshold.
Runway 04R has an approach ratio of 16:1 at the displaced threshold. A tree is located 547 feet right, 1,122 feet from the displaced threshold.
Runway 13L has an approach ratio of 16:1 at the displaced threshold. A tree is located 453 feet right, 915 feet from the displaced threshold.
Runway 22L has an approach ratio of 19:1 at the displaced threshold. A light pole is located 474 feet right, 674 feet from the displaced threshold.
Runway 22R has an approach ratio of 37:1 at the displaced threshold. A tree is located 2,490 feet from the displaced threshold, 319 feet left.
Runway 31R has an approach ratio of 24:1 at the displaced threshold. A tree is located 1,211 feet from the displaced threshold, 459 feet right.
Close-in obstacles exist on all runways except 13R/31L, too numerous to itemize.
Runway 22L is the preferred departure runway between 2200 and 0700.
Taxiway N is closed between taxiway Y and the runway 22L pad.
An Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) bed, 249 feet long by 170 feet wide, is located at the departure end of runway 04R.
An Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) bed, 190 feet long by 170 feet wide, is located at the departure end of runway 13L.
An Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) bed, 346 feet long by 170 feet wide, is located at the departure end of runway 22L.
An Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) bed, 210 feet long by 170 feet wide, is located at the departure end of runway 31R.
Noise abatement procedures request that all departures expedite climb through 1,500 feet MSL between 2200 and 0600 daily.
Birds are present on and in the vicinity of the airport.
PCR VALUE: 330/F/D/X/U.
PCR VALUE: 685/F/D/X/U.
PCR VALUE: 125/R/B/X/U.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Chicago Midway International has five airfields within 19 NM. The closest is Brookeridge Air Park, 11.50 NM west.
Part of the Chicago area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KMDW
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$2,400.00 catering order at KMDW.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the runway configuration at KMDW?
Chicago Midway International operates four paved runways, all asphalt or asphalt-concrete. The longest is 13L/31R at 6,522 feet, followed by 04R/22L at 6,445 feet and 04L/22R at 5,507 feet. The shortest, 13R/31L, measures 3,859 feet with a width of only 60 feet, narrower than the other three at 150 feet. Both 04L/22R and 13R/31L carry restrictions barring Part 121/Part 380 scheduled operations above 9 passenger seats and non-scheduled operations above 30 seats. Dispatchers planning larger transport-category aircraft should default to 13L/31R or 04R/22L.
Does KMDW have EMAS installed on its runways?
Yes, Chicago Midway International has Engineered Materials Arresting System beds at four runway ends. The departure end of runway 04R has a 249 by 170 foot EMAS bed, 13L has one measuring 190 by 170 feet, 22L has the largest at 346 by 170 feet, and 31R has one at 210 by 170 feet. These systems are designed to stop an aircraft that overruns the runway end. Their presence reflects the constrained overrun areas typical of this urban-adjacent airport.
Are there taxiway wingspan restrictions at Chicago Midway International?
Chicago Midway International restricts two taxiways based on aircraft wingspan. Taxiway A is closed to aircraft with a wingspan over 94 feet, and taxiway F carries the same 94-foot restriction. Additionally, runway 13R/31L is closed to flight operations whenever an aircraft with a wingspan over 79 feet is positioned on taxiway F. Dispatchers routing larger business jets or widebody aircraft need to account for these limits when planning ground movement at KMDW.
What noise abatement and preferred runway procedures apply at KMDW?
Chicago Midway International requests that all departures expedite climb through 1,500 feet MSL between 2200 and 0600 daily as part of its noise abatement procedures. During the same overnight period, from 2200 to 0700, runway 22L is the preferred departure runway. Operators should factor these procedures into flight planning for night operations. The airport is also closed to solo student training, and birds are reported on and in the vicinity of the airport, both relevant to crews planning arrivals and departures.
How does business aviation traffic vary by season at KMDW?
Business aviation traffic at Chicago Midway International, tracked as cross-border traffic in FAA TFMSC data, shows a clear seasonal pattern. Monthly operations climb from a low near 2,553 in February to a peak of 4,443 in September, with September and October both exceeding 4,400 operations. Spring through fall months consistently outperform the winter low season. Dispatchers scheduling operations at KMDW should anticipate lighter traffic in January and February compared to the September to November period.