Airlines will have to cut hundreds of daily flights at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) this summer as part of a government-mandated effort to curb expected flight delays.
The Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday that it would require airlines to collectively cut about 12% of all takeoffs and landings at O’Hare that had been scheduled for this summer season.
The order would apply to flights scheduled between May 17 and October 24.
The FAA’s intervention comes amidst a turf war between airlines that had raised fears of major delays at ORD this summer.
O’Hare’s major airlines, United Airlines and American Airlines, have added flights from ORD in a dizzying pace in recent months.
The airport was expected to see about 19% more departures between May and October than a year ago, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.
And last summer didn’t go without problems: Only a little more than half of flights at ORD during the 2025 peak travel season did not experience delays, the FAA noted Thursday.
The FAA feared that crowded flight schedules, combined with prolonged runway construction in busy downtown Chicago, could have led to massive disruptions in the coming months.
“Our number one priority is the safety of the flying public, and that means ensuring airline schedules reflect what the system can safely handle,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said in a statement.
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Airlines will now be tasked with eliminating hundreds of daily flights that are already scheduled. The FAA said it would distribute schedule reduction requirements based on last summer’s schedule at O’Hare.
In a statement to TPG, United applauded the FAA for its efforts “to find a solution that makes sense for everyone who cares about O’Hare’s success.” The Chicago-based airline said it would share additional information “including next steps” after reviewing the order.
“We are pleased to have a sufficient level of flights through the FAA process to successfully operate a hub at O’Hare this summer,” American added in its own statement, saying the move would reduce delays at the airport.
The airline said it would have more information about any schedule changes soon.
International airlines will not be required to cancel flights.
Under U.S. Department of Transportation policy, travelers whose flights are canceled, significantly delayed, or modified, for any reason, are entitled to a full refund if they decide not to accept the change of reservation or the new schedule. That would apply to canceled flights and schedule changes affected by this order.
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