In Call With FAA, Durbin, Duckworth Advocate For More Resources For O’Hare Airport Amid Faa Process To Limit Daily Operations

In Call With FAA, Durbin, Duckworth Advocate For More Resources For O'Hare Airport Amid Faa Process To Limit Daily Operations

Durbin and Duckworth spoke by phone with FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) yesterday spoke by phone with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford amid the FAA's process to limit daily operations at O'Hare International Airport (ORD). The Senators requested an update on this process and asked about the potential limit on daily operations to ensure it matches the level of the airport's capabilities. Given that ORD is the busiest airport in the nation, the Senators also urged Administrator Bedford to prioritize ORD for Air Traffic Control (ATC) staffing and technology. The towers that ensure flights take off from and land safely at O'Hare are currently well under the targets established by the FAA Air Traffic Organization (ATO) and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) in the Collaborative Workforce Plan.

"O'Hare International Airport is in a league of its own as the nation's busiest airport. And it should have the resources and federal support that matches its status," Durbin said. "During our call with FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, Senator Duckworth and I requested an update on the FAA's process to limit operations at O'Hare and made clear that the airport deserves federal investment in its air traffic staffing and technology."

"O'Hare is the busiest, most connected airport in the nation and critical to our country's aviation system. Any flight reductions the FAA and USDOT decide upon must be fair, justified and have a clear end date. The FAA and USDOT must also prioritize O'Hare for federal grants, air traffic controller staffing and modernization upgrades," Duckworth said. "O'Hare is responsible for getting millions of people where they need to go and investment in O'Hare will yield nationwide results."

In March, the Senators wrote to Administrator Bedford about the urgent need for greater FAA investment and efficiency at ORD. In their letter, the Senators urged FAA to prioritize ORD for ATC staffing and technology, to allow full use of ORD's runway capabilities, and to give full and fair consideration to federal grant applications to invest in ORD's Terminal Area Plan project to increase gate capacity.

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