Overview
- After a Washington meeting this week produced no agreement, the FAA plans to reconvene with airlines next week before issuing a formal order.
- Sources say the agency is considering lowering its proposed cap from about 2,800 daily operations to roughly 2,500, with the target still under discussion.
- Published schedules for March 29–Oct. 25 reach about 3,080 daily flights, up from roughly 2,680 last summer, prompting warnings over runway, terminal and air traffic control limits.
- O’Hare’s $6 billion modernization and ongoing construction, along with longer taxi times and staffing constraints, are cited as added pressure points.
- United and American exchanged allegations over gate-allocation tactics while affirming safety commitments, and the FAA has warned some booked flights may need rescheduling or cancellation.