The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) anticipates that an estimated 2.7 million passengers will travel through Chicago's airports for the holiday travel period between Wednesday, December 21, 2011 and Sunday, January 1, 2012. The busiest travel day at O'Hare is projected to be Thursday, December 22, with an estimated 202,600 passengers. At Midway, the busiest day is projected to be Friday, December 23, with an estimated 65,700 passengers that day.

"On behalf of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, we are pleased to welcome passengers traveling through Chicago's airports to join friends and family for the holidays," said CDA Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino. "The CDA and its airline and airport partners are ready to provide a safe, efficient and festive travel experience for the millions of passengers that will fly through O'Hare and Midway International Airports."

The CDA will host live entertainment at both O'Hare and Midway, including choir and other musical performances through Friday, December 23. Performances will be held at O'Hare beyond the security checkpoints in each domestic terminal and in the Arrivals Level of International Terminal 5. Entertainment at Midway will take place in the Baggage Claim area.

Free gift-wrapping services continue to be offered by the CDA at both airports this week through Friday, December 23. Gift-wrapping is available in each domestic terminal at O'Hare from noon to 5 p.m. and in the Midway Boulevard food court at Midway from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

O'Hare and Midway restaurants, coffee shops and retailers are ready for passengers, providing convenient and attractive products and services to help travelers get what they need for their trips. And for passengers especially in a hurry at O'Hare, they can get food from select restaurants delivered right to their gate from a free mobile app, B4 U BOARD, including breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as appetizers and desserts. Participating HMSHost restaurants include Tuscany Café and Chili's Too! in Terminal 1; Blackhawks Restaurant & Bar in Terminal 2; and Wolfgang Puck Café and Chili's Too! in Terminal 3.

The USO of Illinois Centers at both O'Hare and Midway will provide military personnel and their families with a place to relax, enjoy a snack, check e-mail and readjust to life before returning home or being deployed. The O'Hare USO Center is located in Terminal 2 on the mezzanine level. The USO at O'Hare also operates a Cyber Canteen in Terminal 3. The Midway USO Center is located in Concourse C. All USO Centers will remain open throughout the holiday period.

For more information on airport parking, ground transportation, maps, and passenger services and amenities for O'Hare and Midway International Airports, please visit www.FlyChicago.com.