By Dean Seal
The Federal Aviation Administration is looking to cut flights this summer at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, where United Airlines and American Airlines are currently duking it out for supremacy.
The agency said Friday it would hold a meeting next week to discuss flight restrictions that could ease potential overscheduling and flight delays at O'Hare, which ranks among the busiest airports in the U.S.
The prospect of cuts comes as United and American have been in a monthslong battle for gates and passengers.
United was allocated five additional gates at O'Hare last year and is planning to boost its daily departures there by more than 34% this summer. American added new destinations from O'Hare and is looking to increase its summer schedule by 10% from a year ago. The competition between carriers could result in lower fares for travelers, analysts have said.
But the FAA said the proposed flight plans during the coming summer season, which runs from March 29 to Oct. 25, could compromise the airport's operations.
O'Hare currently runs about 100 departures and 100 arrivals every hour, with about 2,800 total operations a day. The increases expected this summer would push that figure to nearly 3,100 on peak days, the agency said, citing data-provider Cirium.
"The proposed increase is significant and would stress the runway, terminal and air traffic control systems at the airport," the FAA said in its federal register notice for the meeting.
American applauded the decision on Friday, saying in a statement that the FAA can now "achieve an improved customer experience for passengers."
United said it appreciated the FAA and Transportation Department's leadership in convening the meeting and "look[s] forward to a collaborative discussion."
The meeting is open to the Chicago Department of Aviation and all U.S. carriers, the FAA said.
Write to Dean Seal at dean.seal@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
February 27, 2026 18:50 ET (23:50 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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