Still Slow Out Of Chicago

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said that it is working to return the Chicago En Route Center in Aurora, Illinois to full service by Oct. 13, 2014.

Air traffic controllers who normally work at the centre are now working at other surrounding FAA air traffic facilities to help safely maximize the traffic flow in and out of the Chicago-area airports while the FAA and its telecommunications contractor, Harris Corporation repair damaged communications equipment at Chicago Center.

Some Chicago Center controllers are also travelling to other high-altitude air traffic centres near Minneapolis, Kansas City, Indianapolis and Cleveland to assist controllers at those locations and minimize disruptions for travellers.

The FAA steadily has increased the number of flights arriving and departing at O’Hare and Midway. Air traffic controllerssafely managed about 60% of typical traffic on Sunday at O’Hare and over 75% at Midway.

The agency also has reduced delays in the Chicago area airports by developing new communication and flight plan processing solutions. The FAA reestablished consistent arrival and departure rates at Chicago area airports, providing airlines with needed predicability to build flight schedules.

The Aurora, Illinois air traffic centre was shutdown last week following a fire that was set by a disgruntled employee.