Federal officials have capped daily flights at Chicago O’Hare International Airport at 2,708 this summer, cutting more than 300 planned departures and arrivals to address chronic delays and safety concerns.
The Federal Aviation Administration announced the limit on Thursday, reducing the originally scheduled 3,080 daily flights by about 11 percent. That planned increase would have marked a 14.9 percent rise over last summer’s peak traffic.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the unrestricted schedule was unrealistic and would have exceeded the airport’s capacity, particularly amid ongoing taxiway closures for construction projects. He cited safety and reliability as the primary drivers behind the decision.
O’Hare consistently ranks as the busiest airport in the United States by flight volume and recorded one of the worst on-time performance rates nationally last summer, with fewer than 60 percent of arrivals and departures landing on schedule.
The flight caps will be in effect from May 17 through October 24, affecting peak travel days more heavily than midweek schedules. On slower days such as Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, fewer flights will demand to be removed because the baseline schedule was already lower.
Both airlines acknowledged the coordination with federal officials in their public statements. American emphasized that the adjusted schedule will support preserve O’Hare’s dual-hub structure and improve reliability for customers. United said it appreciated the government’s effort to uncover a balanced solution but did not disclose its specific reduction plans.
For more on this story, see TSA Wait Times: Federal Agents’ Limited Role Revealed.
The FAA noted that the expansion plans announced by American and United for O’Hare could have worsened congestion if left unchecked. Administrator Bryan Bedford reiterated that the agency’s top priority is ensuring flight schedules match what the air traffic control system can safely manage.
The move echoes past efforts to relieve congestion at other major hubs. Duffy referenced success in improving on-time performance at Newark Liberty International Airport through similar capacity adjustments and infrastructure upgrades.
Why did the FAA decide to cut flights at O’Hare this summer?
The FAA cited safety concerns, unrealistic scheduling that exceeded the airport’s operational capacity, and poor on-time performance — fewer than 60 percent of flights arrived or departed on schedule last summer — as reasons for reducing the flight schedule.
How much will each airline have to reduce its flights?
American Airlines estimates it will cut no more than 40 daily flights, while United Airlines may need to reduce more than 200 arrivals and departures per day, based on their respective summer schedules as analyzed by American.
When do the flight limits begin and end?
The flight caps will take effect on May 17 and remain in place through October 24, covering the peak summer travel season at O’Hare.
