FAA Caps Scheduled Flights at Chicago O'Hare to Reduce Delays
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The Federal Aviation Administration this year moved to cap scheduled flights at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, ordering airlines to reduce planned departures and arrivals in an effort to curb chronic delays that have plagued one of the nation's busiest hubs. The decision reflects mounting operational strain: in Summer 2025 O'Hare's on-time performance hovered around 75 percent, with three-quarters of delayed arrivals and departures meeting the threshold for a reportable delay of 15 minutes or more. Officials cited persistent air traffic controller staffing shortages and ongoing construction work that is constraining capacity as central reasons the FAA concluded targeted limits were necessary to prevent cascading disruptions across the national system.