Curt Castagna, NATA President and CEO, was proud to join Chicago Executive Airport this weekend in celebrating 100 years of aviation history, community connection, and economic impact. NATA thanks Jeffrey Miller, Executive Director of Chicago Executive Airport, for the invitation, his leadership, and his work to bring industry and community stakeholders together to recognize this significant milestone.
Founded in 1926 as a 40-acre grassy field with dirt runways, Chicago Executive Airport has grown into one of the nation’s busiest reliever airports, serving the greater Chicago region and supporting aviation, commerce, public service, and opportunity. Today, the airport is jointly owned by the Village of Wheeling and City of Prospect Heights and continues to play an important role in the regional economy, supporting more than 2,100 jobs and generating $441 million in economic activity.
Castagna took the stage to recognize the airport’s proud legacy and its continued role in advancing aviation across the region. He also encouraged industry partners, community stakeholders, and the next generation of aviation professionals to stay engaged in shaping the airport’s next chapter.