Federal officials have ordered airlines to cut about 300 flights per day from the schedule at Chicago O’Hare International Airport during the busiest days this summer, aiming to reduce flight delays and improve reliability for travelers. The move, announced Thursday (April 17) by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), will limit daily operations at the nation’s busiest airport to 2,708 flights between May 17 and October 24.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation and FAA, the cap is a response to last year’s widespread delays at O’Hare, where less than 60% of flights arrived or departed on time. This summer, airlines had planned to operate more than 3,080 flights per day on peak days, nearly 15% above last year’s levels. The increase came as air traffic controllers faced challenges from ongoing construction and taxiway closures.

“If you book a ticket, we want you and your family to have the certainty that you’ll fly without endless delays and cancellations,” Duffy said in a statement. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford added, “Our number one priority is the safety of the flying public, and that means ensuring airline schedules reflect what the system can safely handle.”

Both United and American Airlines, the two largest carriers at O’Hare, recently announced expansion plans that federal officials said would have strained airport capacity even further. American Airlines expects to cut no more than 40 arrivals and departures per day, while United could be required to cancel more than 200. United has said it appreciates the government’s solution and will review the order before announcing specific changes.

The flight reductions are temporary and tied to ongoing construction projects, with plans to lift the cap after October 24. Airlines will allocate reductions based on their approved summer 2025 schedules, limiting the opportunity for last-minute schedule boosts. Carriers that violate the cap could face fines of up to $75,000 per flight, as reported by U.S. News & World Report.

The Chicago Department of Aviation said it is working to minimize construction-related delays and will continue advocating for more federal investment in airport infrastructure and staffing. The FAA is also planning to add air traffic controllers and optimize routes to further improve operations at O’Hare.

Travelers affected by the schedule cuts will be notified by their airlines as details are finalized. The restrictions are set to expire after the summer travel season, but officials will continue to monitor performance and adjust as needed.

Dickerman