FAA Extends Flight Caps at O'Hare

The FAA and O'Hare's major airlines agreed last year to cut the number of flights at the delay-prone facility, which had the worst delays of the nation's 31 busiest airports in 2004.

Oct. 14, 2005

2 min read

CHICAGO (AP) -- Federal aviation regulators have extended a temporary cap on flights into O'Hare International Airport into next spring as a way to reduce delays, according to a federal order made public Thursday.

The Federal Aviation Administration extended the flight restrictions, which were to expire at the end of this month, to April 1 ''to ensure that congestion and delay at O'Hare remain at manageable levels.''

The FAA and O'Hare's major airlines agreed last year to cut the number of flights at the delay-prone facility, which had the worst delays of the nation's 31 busiest airports in 2004.

Under the restrictions, which took effect in November, United Airlines and American Airlines agreed to cut 37 daily peak-hour flights. Also, domestic airlines are limited to a combined 88 arrivals per hour between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., down from more than 120 an hour.

The limits have worked, according to the FAA. This year, 77 percent of flights arrived at O'Hare on time, up from 70 percent in 2004.

United Airlines spokesman Dave Dimmer said the carrier supported the extension as ''the best short-term answer to limiting the congestion'' at O'Hare. United accounts for 50 percent of flights at O'Hare.

American Airlines spokesman Tim Smith said the extension was not a surprise and that the carrier is comfortable with the restrictions.

The FAA is reviewing a proposal to extend the restrictions through April 2008.