FAA to Limit Flights at Chicago's O'Hare Airport to Curb Delays

The federal agency will cap daily operations at the busy airport to prevent a spike in cancellations and disruptions during the busy summer travel season.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 8:36pm

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it will implement a scheduling reduction at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, limiting daily flights to 2,708 from May 17 to October 24, 2026. This comes after airlines planned to significantly increase flights at O'Hare, which is the busiest airport in the U.S. and has faced high levels of delays and cancellations in recent summers.

Why it matters

O'Hare's proposed flight volume of 3,080 flights per day on peak days was an increase of 400 compared to last year, when only 60% of arrivals and departures were on time. The FAA is taking action to prevent a dramatic increase in delays and cancellations that could disrupt travel plans for millions of passengers during the busy summer season.

The details

The FAA's scheduling reduction will limit O'Hare's daily operations to 2,708 flights, down from the airlines' proposed 3,080 flights per day on peak days. This is part of the agency's strategy to streamline operations at one of the nation's busiest airports, similar to what it did at Newark Liberty International. The FAA is also bringing in more air traffic controllers, improving controller training speed, optimizing routes and airspace, and increasing collaboration with airlines and airports to reduce delays.

  • The flight limitations will be in effect from May 17 to Oct. 24, 2026.
  • In summer 2025, just 60% of arrivals and departures at O'Hare were on time.

The players

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. government agency responsible for the regulation and oversight of civil aviation.

Sean Duffy

The U.S. Transportation Secretary who announced the FAA's scheduling reduction at O'Hare.

Bryan Bedford

The FAA Administrator who said the agency's priority is ensuring airline schedules reflect what the system can safely handle.

Chicago O'Hare International Airport

The busiest airport in the U.S. based on flight volume, which has faced high levels of delays and cancellations in recent summers.

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What they’re saying

“If you book a ticket, we want you and your family to have the certainty that you'll fly without endless delays and cancellations.”

— Sean Duffy, U.S. Transportation Secretary

“Our number one priority is the safety of the flying public, and that means ensuring airline schedules reflect what the system can safely handle.”

— Bryan Bedford, FAA Administrator

What’s next

The FAA's scheduling reduction at O'Hare will be in effect from May 17 to October 24, 2026, as the agency works to prevent a spike in delays and cancellations during the busy summer travel season.

The takeaway

The FAA's decision to limit flights at Chicago's O'Hare Airport highlights the ongoing challenges of managing air travel demand and infrastructure, especially at the nation's busiest airports. By taking proactive steps to streamline operations, the agency aims to deliver a more reliable and enjoyable travel experience for passengers during the summer months.