Chicago is My Home

16
Jun

FAA to Lift Hourly Flight Cap at O’Hare International Airport Starting on Oct. 31

Author: Adam Fendelman, Category: Travel

CHICAGO – O’Hare International Airport, which is one of the nation’s most heavily trafficked airports, is about to get even busier. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on Monday it will lift an hourly cap of 88 flight arrivals at O’Hare and allow for an additional five flights an hour (or 70 flights a day).

The change will take effect on Oct. 31, 2008 and coincide with the opening of a new runway at O’Hare that’s scheduled for November. Speaking on Monday following the announcement, Chicago mayor Richard Daley said the city remains committed to a thorough overhaul of the airport to be completed by 2014.

Major delays at the Chicago hub brought the addition of flights into question. A severe downturn in the airline industry, however, has prompted the FAA to ease restrictions with carriers and airports.

By Megan O’Neil