Nov 10, 2007 3:28 pm US/Central
FAA Unsure On How It Will Lift O'Hare Flight Cap
New Runway Set To Open Next Year
CHICAGO (AP) ―
The Federal Aviation Administration says a cap on flights into O'Hare International Airport has not determined how it will lift the flight caps when a new runway is scheduled to open next year. Officials mentioned a possible "phased approach" may occur.
The Chicago Tribune reported Saturday that the agency may not turn off the flight caps instantly and the agency's policy reversal may hamper the city's ability to pay for its planned $15 billion airport expansion.
An FAA press release Saturday stated: "The FAA will continue to review the operational performance data at O'Hare semi-annually through October 2008 to determine it additional hourly arrival authorizations may be assigned. The FAA would increase the hourly cap if action is supported by its operational analysis."
FAA official Henry Krakowski told the Tribune on Friday the decision to keep the cap is aimed at improving delays and cancellations.
Rosemarie Andolino, director of the O'Hare project, says city officials want to speak with Krakowski about the change.
The FAA originally pledged that the cap, limiting arrivals to 88 per hour, would be removed when the first new runway opened as part of the airfield expansion.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
