Duckworth, Durbin Challenge FAA’s Decision to Extend Chicago O’Hare’s Flight Cap for a Full Year

July 31, 2026 Duckworth, Durbin Challenge FAA’s Decision to Extend Chicago O’Hare’s Flight Cap for a Full Year Earlier this month, the FAA announced that O’Hare’s daily flight cap would be extended until October 2027 despite expectations that construction on taxiways and runways will be complete by this fall [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford to express their concerns regarding the yearlong extension of the daily cap of 2,708 flights per day at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). In April, the FAA announced that the 2,708 daily flight cap would remain in effect from May to October 2026. However, earlier this month, the FAA extended the flight cap by a full year, holding ORD at this cap until October 2027. “We are writing to express our concern regarding the decision to extend for a full year the order limiting flights at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). While a daily cap of 2,708 flights commenced in May and was expected to conclude in October 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) now has made the decision to keep this restriction in place through October 30, 2027,” Duckworth and Durbin began their letter. The FAA cited construction on ORD’s airfield as the reason for the flight cap extension; however the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) has made clear that all taxiway and runways at the airport will be open by November 1 of this year. “The FAA’s notice of such extension references construction projects as the leading factor in this decision. Yet, through our offices’ discussions with the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), we understand that construction conditions will improve throughout this summer, with all taxiways and runways open by November 1, 2026,” the lawmakers wrote. The Senators underscored that stretching the flight cap beyond 2026 would significantly impede ORD’s operations and undermine the airport’s ability to meet flight demands. “Moreover, USDOT, the FAA, the City of Chicago, airlines, and other partners have invested billions of dollars in runways through the O’Hare Modernization Program. Local partners also have invested billions of dollars to prepare ORD’s gate capacity to handle the flight growth our country expects to see over the coming decades. We reiterate our request for the FAA’s support in these endeavors. Any actions that could impede planned growth should be made with the utmost care and consideration,” the Senators wrote. “Given ORD is seated at the crossroads of the United States and is necessary to connect flights from coast to coast, any changes or operations at ORD have a ripple-effect on the entire nation’s aviation system. Further, in 2025, according to the FAA’s own data, ORD was the busiest airport in the country—and by the Airports Council International (ACI) World’s data, it was the busiest in the world . Reducing operations at the world’s busiest airport for one-and-a-half years reduces available flights for travelers at arguably the most crucial nexus for the United States and stunts economic growth for the entire Midwest,” the Senators continued. The lawmakers concluded their letter by requesting information about the data the FAA used to justify extending the flight cap from 2026 to 2027. “Ahead of implementing this extension order, we request the following information by August 15, 2026: According to the CDA, all taxiways and runways will be open by November 1, 2026. What was the FAA’s rationale for extending the flight reduction through October 30, 2027, and citing concerns over construction?” the Senators asked. “We look forward to working together to ensure the continued success of ORD,” they concluded their letter. Duckworth and Durbin have continuously advocated for ORD, urging the Trump Administration to allocate the necessary resources to support the airport’s capabilities. In April, the Senators spoke with Administrator Bedford about the potential limit on daily operations at ORD, and in March, the Senators wrote to Administrator Bedford about the urgent need for greater FAA investment and efficiency at ORD. In their letter, the Senators urged FAA to prioritize ORD for Air Traffic Control staffing and technology, to allow full use of ORD’s runway capabilities, and to give full and fair consideration to federal grant applications to invest in ORD’s Terminal Area Plan project to increase gate capacity. Full text of today’s letter is available here and below: July 31, 2026 Dear Secretary Duffy and Administrator Bedford: We are writing to express our concern regarding the decision to extend for a full year the order limiting flights at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). While a daily cap of 2,708 flights commenced in May and was expected to conclude in October 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) now has made the decision to keep this restriction in place through October 30, 2027. The FAA’s notice of such extension references construction projects as the leading factor in this decision. Yet, through our offices’ discussions with the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), we understand that construction conditions will improve throughout this summer, with all taxiways and runways open by November 1, 2026. Moreover, USDOT, the FAA, the City of Chicago, airlines, and other partners have invested billions of dollars in runways through the O’Hare Modernization Program. Local partners also have invested billions of dollars to prepare ORD’s gate capacity to handle the flight growth our country expects to see over the coming decades. We reiterate our request for the FAA’s support in these endeavors. Any actions that could impede planned growth should be made with the utmost care and consideration. Given ORD is seated at the crossroads of the United States and is necessary to connect flights from coast to coast, any changes or operations at ORD have a ripple-effect on the entire nation’s aviation system. Further, in 2025, according to the FAA’s own data, ORD was the busiest airport in the country—and by the Airports Council International (ACI) World’s data, it was the busiest in the world . Reducing operations at the world’s busiest airport for one-and-a-half years reduces available flights for travelers at arguably the most crucial nexus for the United States and stunts economic growth for the entire Midwest. Ahead of implementing this extension order, we request the following information by August 15, 2026: According to the CDA, all taxiways and runways will be open by November 1, 2026. What was the FAA’s rationale for extending the flight reduction through October 30, 2027, and citing concerns over construction? What parties did the FAA consult and which data did it review to arrive at this decision? Since our previous letter to Administrator Bedford, sent on March 6, 2026, requesting that the FAA prioritize additional resources and air traffic controllers at ORD, what actions has FAA taken to help alleviate congestion and better support operations at ORD? We look forward to working together to ensure the continued success of ORD. Thank you for your prompt response to this matter. -30- Print Tweet Previous Article