FAA to Limit O'Hare Takeoffs: Less Delays, More Grumbles?
Published Date: 3/3/2026
Notice
Summary
The FAA is planning to limit how many flights can take off and land at Chicago O'Hare Airport during busy times to cut down on delays. They’re inviting airlines and the public to a meeting on March 4, 2026, and want feedback by March 11 before making a final decision. These changes could affect flight schedules and airline operations, aiming for smoother travel and less waiting around.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
ORD flight caps for Summer 2026
If you fly through Chicago O'Hare (ORD), the FAA plans to limit scheduled flights during the Summer 2026 scheduling season from March 29, 2026 through October 25, 2026. FAA proposes keeping limits equivalent to about 100 hourly departures and 100 hourly arrivals (about 2,800 total daily operations) and will review each 30-minute period between 06:00 and 21:59 local time. The FAA's final order may restrict service during peak hours for all carriers, including carriers not currently operating at ORD.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-13440, Enabling Supersonic Overland Flight
The FAA wants to let supersonic planes fly over land again by updating old rules that banned them because of loud sonic booms. Thanks to new tech that keeps booms quiet, this change will open the door for faster, cooler flights across the U.S., helping America lead the world in supersonic travel. People and companies interested in supersonic flight should share their thoughts by August 17, 2026.
2026-13126, Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility; Extension of Comment Period
The FAA is giving more time—until August 5, 2026—for people to share their thoughts on new rules that would limit drone flights near important fixed sites like power plants or airports. This affects drone operators and facility owners who want to keep the skies safe and secure. No new costs yet, just extra time to weigh in and help shape the rules.
2026-08943, Designation-Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility
The FAA is proposing new rules to keep drones away from certain important fixed sites like power plants or airports to keep everyone safe and secure. If you own or operate one of these sites, you can request a drone flight restriction zone to protect your property and people nearby. Comments are open until July 6, 2026, and these changes could affect drone pilots and site operators, but no big costs are expected.
2026-16970, Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments; Clearance of a Renewed Approval of Information Collection: Flight Attendant Fatigue Risk Management Plan
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments on the following collection of information was published on June 18, 2026. The collection involves submission of Fatigue Risk Management Plans (FRMP) for flight attendants of certificate holders operating under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 121. The certificate holders will submit the information to be collected to the FAA for review and acceptance as required by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2026-16956, Airworthiness Directives; Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG Engines
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-11-15, which applies to all Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) Model Trent7000-72 and Trent7000-72C engines. AD 2022-11-15 requires initial and repetitive on-wing borescope inspections (BSIs) of the high-pressure turbine (HPT) blades to detect axial cracking and, depending on the results of the inspections, replacement of the HPT blade set. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-11-15, RRD issued updated service material providing improved instructions for inspection of the HPT blades, removing the reduced life limit for affected HPT blades, and revising the HPT blade limits for axial cracking. This proposed AD would continue to require initial and repetitive on-wing BSIs of the HPT blades to detect axial cracking and, depending on the results of the inspections, replacement of the HPT blade set. This proposed AD would also remove the reduced life limit for affected HPT blades. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
2026-16961, Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-13-11, which applies to all Dassault Aviation Model FALCON 7X airplanes. AD 2025-13-11 requires replacing the affected spoiler electrical units (SPECUs) and prohibits the installation of affected parts. Since the FAA issued AD 2025-13-11, it was determined that additional SPECUs are subject to the unsafe condition. This proposed AD would continue to require the actions in AD 2025-13-11 and would require replacing additional SPECUs. This proposed AD would also prohibit the installation of affected parts. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-04197, Certain Freight Rail Couplers and Parts Thereof from India: Preliminary Affirmative Countervailing Duty Determination and Alignment of Final Determination with Final Antidumping Duty Determination
The U.S. Department of Commerce found that Indian makers of certain freight rail couplers got unfair government help, so they’re planning to add extra taxes (countervailing duties) on these products. This affects Indian exporters and could make their couplers more expensive in the U.S. The final decision will line up with related antidumping duties, with key deadlines happening soon in 2026.
Next: 2026-04199, Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Civil Rights Discrimination Complaint
The Department of Veterans Affairs is updating the form veterans use to report civil rights discrimination when getting VA medical care or services. About 450 people a year fill out this form, which takes around 15 minutes each. They’re asking for public feedback within 30 days to make sure the process stays clear and easy, with no extra costs involved.