Mon, Jun 16, 2008
Applauds Efforts To Add Capacity At Busy Airport
It will soon be a
little easier for airlines to schedule flights to and from
Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD). Along with Chicago
Mayor Richard Daley, FAA Acting Administrator Robert Sturgell
announced Monday the elimination of flight caps at O'Hare.
Though the caps will soon be lifted, the agency isn't giving
free reign to airlines, however. Sturgell also announced O'Hare has
been designated as an International Air Transport Association
(IATA) Level 2 airport... which will require air carriers to
continue providing their schedules six months in advance. This will
let the FAA aggressively monitor potential congestion and take
appropriate actions to prevent congestion from occurring.
"The City of Chicago has outdone itself when it comes to
boosting capacity," Sturgell said. "The extension of an existing
runway two months ahead of schedule, together with the completion
of a new runway later this year, will allow for an additional four
to five arrivals per hour."
In 2004, arrivals at O'Hare were capped at 88 during most hours
of the day to reduce congestion at the world's second-busiest
airport. When the new runway is finished later this year, 56-70
more arrivals will be added throughout the day... and this
additional capacity is expected to result in a modest decrease in
delayed flights.
In addition to increasing capacity, the move enables airlines to
adjust winter schedules to respond to evolving market conditions...
which, somewhat ironically in this context, has trended towards
airlines slashing capacity throughout their domestic networks, in
order to make the flights they do operate more profitable.
"The measures are also good news for the nation's airlines,
which are struggling with record fuel prices," Sturgell said. "By
adding capacity and reducing delays, we are taking an important
step that will bring much-needed relief to all Americans who rely
on air transportation."
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