FAA Proposes Flight Caps at O'Hare for Summer 2026 Amid Congestion

The Federal Aviation Administration proposed tighter operational limits for Chicago O'Hare International Airport on Monday, targeting summer 2026 with caps between 2,400 and 2,608 daily takeoffs and landings. This marks a reduction from the initially considered 2,800 operations cap during peak summer months.

The FAA cited severe congestion caused by carrier expansions and ongoing construction as the primary driver for invoking federal authority to manage airspace effectively. Chicago Department of Aviation officials argue the airport can safely handle 2,800 operations through recent runway expansions and taxiway improvements. In filings opposing the proposal, CDA representatives called the FAA inefficient in runway use and suggested forming a working group instead of implementing strict caps.

The FAA warned of potential penalties up to $75,000 per excess flight to prevent future overload scenarios. A scheduling reduction meeting was initially held March 4, with a follow-up set for March 19, 2026, at 9 a.m. Chicago time to finalize the order. While recent weather events around March 13 resulted in nearly 500 cancellations, these administrative changes serve as a proactive measure to mitigate capacity stress before summer 2026.