Economic pain of Chicago flight disruptions: $110 million

The fire at a Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control facility in Chicago wasn't just a headache for thousands of travelers -- it also had a major economic impact, to the tune of at least $110 million.

That's according an estimate provided to CBS MoneyWatch by the U.S. Travel Association. The economic losses stem from canceled flights and ancillary business, such as lost rental car and hotel bookings, as well as from lost productivity for travelers suffering through delays and cancellations.

"This is already having a significant economic impact," said Erik Hansen, senior director of domestic policy for the U.S. Travel Association. "In terms of economic disruption, we haven't seen anything this high," although the situation was unique in that it affected one city, while major weather-related disruptions often impact several airports across a region.

The damage from the incident, which resulted form a fire allegedly set by contract worker Brian Howard, may take until Oct. 13 to repair. FlightStats.com, a site that tracks delays and cancellations at airports, said Chicago O'Hare is still experiencing "excessive delays."

The disruption could serve as a wake-up call to consumers about the state of the U.S.' air-traffic facilities, Hansen said. "It shows the system is fragile. We have 1950s technology that's operating our air traffic systems. One small disruption can have a huge impact that can ripple throughout out the system."

With delays continuing, what can travelers do? Hansen cautions that it's difficult to plan ahead, but it's best "not to make any assumptions."

"If your flight isn't canceled, show up at the airport," he noted. "Often it's best to rebook in person."

Consumers should also stay informed when they travel by signing up to receive alerts and notifications by text, phone or email, said Expedia.com vice president and general manager John Morrey.

"I was personally impacted by the Chicago Air Traffic Control delay when my outbound flight last week moved from 2:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. It then moved up to 3:30 p.m., and had I not arrived a little early I could have missed my flight," he wrote in an email. "Fortunately, I was notified via text alert at every step along the way, and was able to hustle to the gate and make the earlier boarding time."

If a traveler faces "significant delays," consider alternatives, Morrey added. "As an example, if your short flight has been delayed by several hours, it may well be faster to jump in a rental car and drive to your destination," he said.

Lastly, have patience. The fire at the FAA facility in Chicago "is not the fault of the airline, your hotel or your travel agent," Morrey said. "These situations put stress on the entire system, but everyone is doing all they can to make a bad situation better."