April 16, 2026
The Federal Aviation Administration has directed airlines to reduce about 12% of scheduled takeoffs and landings at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) for the summer season to ease expected delays and operational strain. The cuts apply to flights between May 17 and Oct. 24.
The FAA said the action responds to rapid schedule growth by major carriers at O’Hare combined with ongoing runway construction, conditions that could produce widespread disruptions. Cirium data showed O’Hare was slated to have roughly 19% more departures between May and October than a year earlier. The FAA also noted that last summer only a little more than half of flights at ORD during the peak season experienced no delay, heightening concerns for the months ahead.
“We prioritize the safety of the flying public, and that means ensuring airline schedules reflect what the system can safely handle,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said in a statement.
Airlines must remove hundreds of daily flights already listed on summer schedules. The FAA said it will allocate reduction requirements based on carriers’ schedules from last summer.
United Airlines said it supports the FAA’s effort “to find a solution that makes sense for everyone who cares about O’Hare’s success” and will provide details after reviewing the order. American Airlines said the move should reduce delays and that it expects to operate a successful hub this summer, with more information on specific schedule changes to follow. International carriers are not subject to the cancellation requirement.
Under U.S. Department of Transportation policy, passengers whose flights are canceled, significantly delayed or otherwise changed are entitled to a full refund if they decline rebooking or the revised schedule. That refund policy applies to cancellations and schedule changes resulting from the FAA’s order.
