Keeping with the scheduled expiration of the caps at O’Hare this fall, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is eliminating flight caps at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. The move came in the wake of an airline request from United, American, Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, US Airways and AirTran to lift the use-it-or-lose-it rule at the airport, an effort to retain market share in the face of massive capacity cuts. The carriers also want the rule lifted at New York area airports and Washington National. But the FAA action defies American’s request to retain caps at O’Hare even after a new runway increases capacity when it opens in November.
United and American, which control 80 percent of slots, want to block a bid by Virgin America to serve the airport. FAA could re-allocate slots temporarily at the airports, according to the carrier request, but they want to be able to reclaim them later.
“The City of Chicago has outdone itself when it comes to boosting capacity,” Acting Administrator Robert Sturgell said. “The extension of an existing runway two months ahead of schedule, together with the completion of a new runway later this year, will allow for an additional four to five arrivals per hour.”
In 2004, arrivals at O’Hare were capped at 88 during most hours of the day to reduce congestion at the world’s second-busiest airport. When the new runway is finished later this year, 56-70 more arrivals will be added throughout the day, and this additional capacity is expected to result in a modest decrease in delayed flights.
Sturgell maintained consistently that implementing congestion management — such as caps — should be the last resort for managing congestion and delay. By working with the City of Chicago, O’Hare will increase capacity so the airport can effectively handle unconstrained demand.
In addition to increasing capacity, the move enables airlines to adjust winter schedules to respond to evolving market conditions.
“The measures are also good news for the nation’s airlines, which are struggling with record fuel prices,” Sturgell said. “By adding capacity and reducing delays, we are taking an important step that will bring much-needed relief to all Americans who rely on air transportation.”
The agency also announced O’Hare has been designated as an International Air Transport Association (IATA) Level 2 airport, which will require air carriers to continue providing their schedules six months in advance. This will let the FAA aggressively monitor potential congestion and take appropriate actions to prevent congestion from occurring.