Federal officials have ordered Chicago O’Hare International Airport to cut approximately 300 flights per day during the busy summer travel season to curb widespread delays. The Department of Transportation will limit daily operations to 2,708 flights between May 17 and October 24, down from over 3,080 scheduled on peak days in 2026.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the move aims to provide certainty for passengers. “If you book a ticket, we want you and your family to have the certainty that you’ll fly without endless delays and cancellations,” he stated on Thursday. He cited a similar strategy at Newark Liberty International Airport, which improved on-time performance.
The cutbacks are partly driven by taxiway closures and limited gate capacity, as well as a persistent shortage of air traffic controllers. Over the past decade, the number of controllers has declined by roughly 6 percent, while flights have increased by 10 percent. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford emphasised safety as the top priority.
Airlines operating at O’Hare will now review the order to determine which flights to cut and when to inform passengers. Major carriers, including American Airlines and United Airlines, expressed support for the directive, praising the government’s swift action to minimise disruptions.
