Southwest Airlines Says 'Yes" to Midway Privatization CHICAGO, IL (wqub) - Chicago's plan to privatize Midway Airport just got a big boost. Southwest Airlines gave its preliminary approval of the plan. The airline makes up about 70 percent of Midway's flights.

Chicago's Chief Financial Officer Paul Volpe says he expects a competitive bidding process which could be lucrative for the city.

"It'll be the first airport privatized in the United States. So we do think there will be plenty of demand for it. It will prove to be very valuable."

Volpe says Chicago needs to get four more of Midway's seven carriers on board with the plan.

The city would look for an operator to lease the airport for 99 years.
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