=20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This article was sent to you by someone who found it on SFGate. The original article can be found on SFGate.com here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=3D/news/archive/2004/05/14/f= inancial1618EDT0223.DTL --------------------------------------------------------------------- Friday, May 14, 2004 (AP) O'Hare flights increase despite FAA efforts HERBERT G. McCANN, Associated Press Writer (05-14) 13:18 PDT CHICAGO (AP) -- Despite a Federal Aviation Administration order to reduce delays at O'Ha= re International Airport and voluntary cutbacks by American and United airlines, flights are up 10 percent so far this year compared with last year. Although the nation's two largest carriers agreed to cut back flights during peak travel periods at O'Hare, other airlines have added to their operations and increased the likelihood that on-time performance will continue to suffer. Takeoffs and landings at O'Hare from January through April increased from 296,864 last year to 325,446 this year, according to the FAA. FAA Administrator Marion Blakey told a congressional hearing on Thursday that there is no additional capacity at O'Hare during peak periods. "The airport cannot take more flights without really disrupting the enti= re system," Blakey said. In January, as on-time performance at O'Hare dropped to 62 percent, U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta announced an agreement with United and American airlines to reduce their daily flight schedules by 5 percent. The airport continued to rank at the bottom nationally in on-time performance, according to the Transportation Department, forcing Mineta to order an extra 2.5 percent reduction by United and American, to take effect June 10. The total comes to about 90 fewer flights a day for the two airlines. Meanwhile, LOT Polish Airlines increased its April flights to 34 from 29 in March and will boost them to 39 this month. Alaska Airlines began offering flights to Seattle, and USA 3000 Airlines, which flies to Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean, added flights. "It wasn't completely unexpected," United spokeswoman Jenna Obluck said Friday. "But we can only control our own schedule. We chose to reduce our flights because it would benefit our customers' travel experiences." Craig Burzych, president of the controllers union at the O'Hare flight center, said controllers are faced with 200 airplanes landing and taking off hour after hour, whereas before there were peaks and valleys in the day, allowing them to catch up from busy hours. He contends additional flights should not be allowed into O'Hare until new runways are built. The FAA, which cannot prohibit flights, has noted the increase in flights and is encouraging airlines to review their operations at O'Hare and consider using alternate airports. Blakey said the FAA might take stronger action this summer if on-time performance at O'Hare doesn't return to October levels, when 84 percent of arrivals were on time. The increased flights come as the number of people taking to the air is increasing, said Cathy Keefe of the Travel Industry Association of America. The expectation is for an at least 4 percent increase in air travel this year, the first increase since 2000. "The summer is going to be strong," she said, adding that the system will begin to be tested in June, with travel peaking in July. American spokeswoman Mary Frances Fagan said Friday schedule changes by the airline, such as moving flights to hours when the number of flight operations is below capacity, will help relieve congestion at O'Hare. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2004 AP