Federal officials announced on Thursday that approximately 300 daily flights must be eliminated from Chicago O’Hare International Airport’s schedule during its busiest summer periods. This action is intended to lessen flight delays.
“If you book a ticket, we want you and your family to have the certainty that you’ll fly without endless delays and cancellations,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement.
O’Hare handles the highest volume of flights among all U.S. airports, and it already held one of the nation’s worst records for flight delays last year.
On peak days this summer, over 3,080 flights were initially planned, representing a 14.9% increase from the prior summer, according to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration. This surge occurs while air traffic controllers are managing taxiway closures for ongoing construction projects.
In its preliminary order, the federal government indicated that both American Airlines and United Airlines had declared expansion plans at O’Hare, which could have led to substantial delays this summer and compromised the airfield’s capacity to manage the anticipated traffic volume.
Duffy stated that the proposed schedule was impractical and would have exceeded the airport’s operational limits. Consequently, the maximum number of flights at the airport will be capped at 2,708, a figure still slightly higher than the peak of 2,680 flights scheduled last summer. He noted that this measure “will reduce delays and make this busy summer travel season a little easier.”
On less busy days of the week, fewer flight reductions will be required because a smaller number of flights were initially scheduled. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are typically considered slower days for air travel.
These flight limitations are set to begin on May 17 and will continue until October 24.
Airlines will examine the specifics of the order to determine the exact number of flights they need to cancel, after which they will inform affected customers.
American Airlines commented that, once implemented, the FAA’s order is expected to improve reliability and minimize delays for passengers traveling through O’Hare this summer.
American Airlines issued a statement conveying its appreciation: “We are grateful to Secretary Duffy, Administrator Bedford, and their leadership teams for acting swiftly to ensure that Chicagoans and all consumers continue to benefit from sensible competition and to help minimize flight disruptions during the busy summer season.”
In an internal memo to employees, American estimated it would need to cut no more than 40 daily arrivals and departures. However, it projected that United might have to eliminate over 200 arrivals and departures based on published schedules. United did not provide its own estimate for flight reductions.
United Airlines expressed its gratitude that the government devised what it called “a solution that makes sense for everyone who cares about O’Hare’s success.”
Both airlines will review the directive and their flight schedules to identify where cuts should be made, and then they will notify travelers whose plans are impacted.
___
Associated Press Transportation Writer Josh Funk contributed to this report from Omaha, Nebraska.