What is the primary purpose of the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA)?

The primary purpose of the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) is to manage and operate the city’s airports and support urban air travel. This involves overseeing the day-to-day operations of the airports, ensuring that they run efficiently and safely, as well as facilitating passenger and cargo movement in and out of the city. The CDA plays a vital role in enhancing the travel experience, promoting economic development through aviation, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.

While regulating aviation activities at a state level is important, that responsibility typically falls under state or federal aviation authorities rather than the specific function of the CDA. Overseeing maintenance of airport facilities is part of the operational responsibilities but does not encompass the full scope of what the CDA aims to achieve. Providing financial support for airport renovations is also an aspect of the CDA's activities, but it is a means to an end rather than the primary mission itself. Each of these other choices represents a function or a subset of responsibilities, but the overarching goal is centered on the effective management and operation of airports in Chicago.