Over 300 Flights Canceled at O’Hare Amid Ground Delays

UPDATE: More than 350 flights have been canceled at Chicago O’Hare International Airport today, with delays reaching an average of 55 minutes. The disruptions are primarily due to runway construction, causing significant traffic delays at one of the nation’s busiest airports.

As of 4:30 p.m. today, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed ongoing ground delays at O’Hare, which are expected to last from 7:45 a.m. to 9:59 p.m. local time. Meanwhile, Chicago Midway International Airport has reported delays averaging 42 minutes, though only 25 flights have been canceled there.

This situation is part of a larger trend, as over 2,100 flights have been canceled nationwide today due to the government shutdown and FAA orders to reduce air traffic. The slowdown at O’Hare and other major airports has now entered its third day, leading to more than 7,000 additional delays across the country, according to data from FlightAware.

Adding to the urgency, a Winter Storm Warning is set to take effect in Cook County at 9 p.m. tonight, with forecasts predicting several inches of snow in the Chicago area. This could exacerbate the already challenging travel conditions at O’Hare, raising concerns for travelers attempting to navigate the weather and ongoing delays.

Travelers are urged to check flight statuses and prepare for potential delays and cancellations as conditions evolve. With the combination of runway work, severe weather warnings, and nationwide air traffic issues, the impact on air travel is expected to linger.

Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops.