United Airlines (NYSE: UAL) today expressed its gratitude to the Chicago City Council for adopting a resolution supporting the airlineå‘s application for a loan guarantee from the Air Transportation Stabilization Board.

“On behalf of the nearly 20,000 United employees in Chicago and the thousands more around the world, I’d like to thank Mayor Richard Daley and the Chicago City Council for their support of United’s federal loan guarantee application,” said Glenn Tilton, United’s chairman, president and chief executive officer.  “As a major part of the economic engine that drives our hometown, United is committed to preserving its place as the airline of choice for the tens of thousands of travelers who pass through Chicago’s O’Hare every day.”

“We’d also like to thank Alderman Ed Burke, chairman of the City Council’s finance committee, for his work in support of United’s loan guarantee application,” said Georgina Heard, manager of government and public affairs.  “Alderman Burke is keenly aware of how vital the federal loan guarantee is to United’s future, and in turn, Chicago’s future.”

United Airlines is the largest airline headquartered in Illinois and one of the state’s largest employers.  United employs nearly 20,000 people at O’Hare International Airport, Chicago Reservations, World Headquarters and other Chicagoland locations.

United and its holding company, UAL Corporation, also contribute rents and landing fees, passenger facility charges (PFCs) and significant tax revenue to the local economy and Illinois.

Chicago is United’s largest hub worldwide.  Every day, United and our Express partners offer 580 departures from O’Hare to 118 destinations around the globe, including 13 outside the U.S.  Last year United alone flew more than 13 million passengers out of O’Hare.

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