The Federal Aviation Administration will limit daily takeoffs and landings at Chicago O’Hare International Airport to 2,800 this summer. Airlines had scheduled more than 3,080 daily operations, up from roughly 2,680 last summer.
Why it matters: O’Hare is the third-busiest airport in the United States, and the cap will force airlines to cancel approximately 280 flights per day, affecting an estimated 50,400 total flights between March and October.
What triggered the cap
United Airlines planned to offer 750 daily flights from O’Hare this summer, 200 more than its nearest competitor and the largest schedule any airline has ever flown from the airport. In December, American Airlines announced 100 new daily departures, a 30% year-over-year increase.
The FAA said the combined expansion would “stress the runway, terminal, and air traffic control systems at the airport.” American Airlines CEO Robert Isom accused United of “reckless scheduling” that would have created gridlock.
Chicago pushes back
The Chicago Department of Aviation has called the cap “unwarranted” and “regressive,” arguing the airport can handle higher volumes. Regulators issued their final order in March, and the cap will remain in effect from 29 March to 25 October.
Both airlines have already trimmed their summer schedules. Passengers with affected bookings are being rebooked on alternative flights.