Chicago O’Hare International Airport is gearing up for a busy summer, but to tackle flight delays, about 300 flights per day will need to be removed on peak travel days, as announced by federal officials on Thursday.
“We want to provide families the assurance that when they book a ticket, they won’t face endless delays or cancellations,” noted Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
As the busiest airport in the U.S., O’Hare faced a tough year last year, being among those with the highest delay rates.
This summer, more than 3,080 flights are expected on the busiest days, which is a 14.9% increase from last summer, according to insights from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration.
This uptick is occurring as air traffic controllers navigate taxiway closures from various construction projects.
A draft order from the federal government indicated that plans by American Airlines and United Airlines to expand O’Hare could significantly impact traffic this summer, causing potential delays.
Duffy described the proposed schedule as unrealistic, arguing it would exceed what the airport could handle.
Consequently, O’Hare will limit operations to a maximum of 2,708 flights, which, interestingly, is slightly above the cap of 2,680 from last summer’s peak.
“This should help reduce delays, making the busy travel season a bit smoother,” he added.
On less crowded days, fewer flights will be affected since there are generally fewer flights scheduled. Typically, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are the days most prone to delays.
The flight restrictions will kick in on May 17 and remain in place until October 24.
Airlines will assess the specifics of the order to figure out how many flights to cancel and will keep customers informed.
American Airlines responded positively, suggesting that the FAA order could enhance reliability and cut down on delays for travelers to O’Hare this summer.
They expressed gratitude towards Secretary Duffy and his team for acting swiftly to maintain competitive options while minimizing disruptions for passengers.
In an internal memo, American Airlines projected that fewer than 40 flights per day would need to be scrapped, whereas United is estimating over 200 cuts based on its current schedule.
United Airlines hasn’t clarified the exact number of flights they might cancel, but they expressed appreciation for a government solution that seems beneficial for all involved in O’Hare’s success.
Both airlines will review the order and their schedules to identify where adjustments need to be made and will keep affected travelers updated.
