Stormy Forecast Prompts Hundreds Of Canceled Flights At O'Hare And Midway
Updated 10/02/14 - 4:00 p.m.
CHICAGO (CBS) -- With thunderstorms likely to descend on the Chicago area starting Thursday afternoon, airlines have proactively canceled nearly 500 flights in Chicago.
O'Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport already were struggling to get back to full capacity nearly a week after an arson fire crippled a Federal Aviation Administration radar center in Aurora.
With severe weather in the forecast Thursday night through Friday morning, airlines have taken proactive steps to cancel many flights, and minimize delays at both airports.
"Due to the combination of severe weather forecasted for the Chicago area today and lingering operational effects of the FAA Center in Aurora, IL, significant delays and cancellations are anticipated at O'Hare and Midway International Airports," the Chicago Department of Aviation said in an email.
Airlines have canceled over 500 flights at O'Hare, and over 300 flights at Midway, as of 4 p.m. It was unclear how many of those cancellations were the result of the incoming storms, and how many were related to the fire at the FAA radar facility.
Southwest Airlines, the largest carrier at Midway, said all flights out of Midway after noon have been canceled due to the expected storms.
"We always coordinate with Air Traffic Control when we anticipate storms will disrupt the airspace and, with an 80% coverage of rain forecast for Chicago, these proactive cancelations are aimed at minimizing surprises for our Customers - keeping them from spending extra time at the airport or on aircraft, etc. We expect some delays, as well, and they should check southwest.com for more information," spokesman Dan Landson said.
Southwest and American Airlines both said they will allow passengers whose flights are canceled on Thursday to change their travel plans through Friday at no cost. Travelers should check with their airline to make sure their ticket qualifies for a free change.
Thousands of flights at O'Hare and Midway have been canceled since Friday, when a contract worker set several fires at the Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center in Aurora, crippling the facility.
FAA crews have been working around the clock to restore telecommunications services at the ARTCC this week, bringing in new equipment and cables to restore network connections and other infrastructure damaged or destroyed by the fire.
The FAA has said it hopes to have the ARTCC in Aurora fully operational by Oct. 13. According to the U.S. Travel Association, the fire has cost the U.S. economy $123 million.
Brian Howard, of Naperville, has been charged with charged with destruction of aircraft facilities, and ordered held without bond. Authorities said he intentionally set a fire in the basement telecommunications area of the ARTCC in Aurora before trying to kill himself by slashing his arms and throat.