O’Hare Slot Program Extended Two Years

The FAA is expected to publish tomorrow a final rule extending through Oct. 31, 2008, a flight-reduction program at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, including slot reservations for general aviation operations. Through several six-month extensions, the program has been in effect continuously since November 2004 and the latest extension was scheduled to end today. The FAA said that the flight limits imposed since 2004 “have been effective” in easing congestion. The program limits all Part 91 and/or 135 IFR and VFR unscheduled flights to four operations per hour from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. This final rule is intended to be an interim measure only, according to the FAA, as it anticipates longer-term solutions to traffic congestion at the airport. Such solutions include plans by the City of Chicago to modernize the airport and reduce delays.