Federal officials have ordered Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport to cut more than 300 daily flights this summer to address several issues.
The FAA and the U.S. Department of Transportation on Thursday announced that the airport would be limited to a total of 2,708 flights per day this summer, more than 300 fewer than the 3,080 the airport had originally planned to accommodate during the summer months.
Transportation Sec. Sean Duffy said the decision was made in coordination with airlines at the airport, and that travelers will benefit from the reductions.
“We successfully turned Newark Liberty International into the most on-time airport in the Tri-State Area by fixing telecoms issues at record speed and reducing overcapacity,” he said in a statement. “Applying that same strategy at O’Hare – where unrealistic schedules were set to dramatically exceed what they could handle – will reduce delays and make this busy summer travel season a little easier. Along with our work to modernize air traffic control and boost staffing, the Trump Administration is using every tool at its disposal to deliver a safe, efficient, and seamless flying experience.”
According to a press release, the 3,080 flights the airport had planned to accommodate represented an increase of 14.8% over summer 2025. The FAA says fewer than 60% of arrivals and departures were on-time during that summer at O’Hare, and cited those numbers as part of the reason behind the reductions.
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The FAA also cited ongoing discussions between United and American Airlines over gate allocations at O’Hare, as well as a massive construction project aiming to replace Terminal 2.
A spokesperson for American Airlines praised the decision, saying it will reduce delays and improve reliability for its service at the airport.
“We are pleased to have secured a sufficient level of flights through the FAA’s process to operate a successful hub at O’Hare this summer and satisfy American’s strategic objectives,” a statement read. “Once implemented, the FAA’s action will improve reliability and reduce delays for customers traveling from, to, and through O’Hare this summer, and ensure Chicago O’Hare retains its longstanding dual-hub structure.”
The new limitations will be in effect between May 17 and October 24, according to the FAA.
“Our number one priority is the safety of the flying public, and that means ensuring airline schedules reflect what the system can safely handle,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “We appreciate the airlines working together with us to reach a responsible level of operations that strengthens safety and delivers a more reliable travel experience for the American public.”
