O'Hare Caps Flights to Dodge Summer Delay Nightmares
Published Date: 4/20/2026
Notice
Summary
Starting May 17, 2026, Chicago O'Hare Airport will limit daily flights to 2,708 to keep things running smoothly and avoid big delays like last summer. This affects all airlines scheduling flights for Summer 2026 and aims to make travel safer and less frustrating during ongoing construction. The limit lasts through October 24, 2026, helping everyone save time and avoid costly delays.
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Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
ORD Summer 2026 Daily Flight Cap
From May 17, 2026 through October 24, 2026, Chicago O'Hare (ORD) will limit scheduled arrivals and departures to 2,708 operations per day between 06:00 and 23:59 Central Time. The limit is implemented in half-hour windows (ranging from 30 to 84 operations per half-hour) and is intended to improve safety and on-time performance and to avoid the severe delays experienced in Summer 2025.
Allocations Use Summer 2025 Baseline
The 2,708 daily operations will be allocated among U.S. carriers in proportion to their approved Summer 2025 schedules (Summer 2025 = March 30, 2025 through October 25, 2025). This allocation approach aims to preserve the competitive balance reflected in the Summer 2025 approved schedule as the baseline for Summer 2026 reductions.
Unscheduled & Schedule-Change Rules
Cargo, charter, and other unscheduled operations may still be accommodated at ORD on a first-come, first-serve basis if approved by the FAA Slot Administration Office; all requests must be submitted to the FAA Slot Administration email. Carriers must obtain written FAA Slot Administration approval before making schedule changes outside the half-hourly arrival/departure windows associated with an authorized timing while this Order is in effect.
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