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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FAA Statement-Update on Chicago Air Traffic Facility The Federal Aviation Administration is continuing to manage high levels of air traffic in and out of the Chicago-area airports today. FAA analysis shows by 1 p.m. CDT, almost 80 percent of the average Tuesday traffic for the past two months was flying in and out of O’Hare, and about 85 percent at Midway. Data for yesterday through 12 midnight CDT shows air traffic flow at Chicago O'Hare and Midway was more than 85 percent of the average traffic for the past two months. The FAA will continue to safely maximize efficiency of the airspace and work closely with airlines to provide predictability in arrival and departure rates. The FAA is closely monitoring the weather outlook in the Chicago area and is working with the airlines on weather-related contingency plans in anticipation of predicted thunderstorms in the region over the next several days. Meanwhile, cleaning crews and technicians are working around the clock at the FAA’s Chicago En Route Center in Aurora, IL to finish cleaning the facility’s ventilation system and other smoke-damaged areas and to install new communications equipment, cabling, and the infrastructure to support it. Workers have completed a seismic protection grid in the new telecommunications room and have started to install cabinets known as “racks” that house the new equipment. Technicians will continue to install new racks as they arrive and are also working on the extensive cabling necessary to connect the new equipment with other, undamaged systems in the building. ###
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