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Study lowers number of flights O’Hare can handle

Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2004 | 9:16 a.m.

CHICAGO -- A federal study released Monday lowered the number of flights that O'Hare International Airport can handle without creating gridlock. At the same time, 37 daily flights were cut as a deal with the airlines went into effect.

The Federal Aviation Administration said O'Hare can handle 190 to 200 arrivals and departures each hour in excellent or marginal weather without creating delays. A 2001 FAA study had recommended a maximum of 200 to 202 flights an hour under those conditions.

When visibility is poor, the airport can handle fewer flights, a maximum of 136 to 144 per hour, according to the new study. The 2001 study had recommended 157 to 160.

"It just shows that O'Hare is extremely overscheduled," said Craig Burzych, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association at O'Hare. "We see every hour 200-plus airplanes and it's almost impossible to stay out of a delay situation."

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