City needs to shake up sluggish O’Hare terminal project or risk ire of more air travelers, report warns - Chicago Sun-Times

As the busy holiday travel season approaches, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby is urging the Federal Aviation Administration to increase air traffic controller staffing, citing lengthy aircraft taxi times at O'Hare International Airport. ABC7 Chicago reported that Kirby made the comments during an appearance at the Executives' Club of Chicago. According to FAA data, the average taxi-in time at O'Hare from landing to arrival at the gate is 20 minutes. The average taxi-out time from the gate to takeoff is 28 minutes, placing O'Hare among the airports with the longest taxi waits in the country.

For travelers arriving at and departing from O'Hare, the delays can be a test of patience. Passenger David Toth told ABC7 Chicago that after multiple visits to Chicago, travelers start realizing long waits are something they have to anticipate. Another passenger, Louise McCulloch, said that travelers are often eager to leave the airport as soon as they land. Kirby explained the infrastructure and operational challenges during his appearance. "It's the only airport in the country where aircraft that are taxiing can't cross runways," Kirby said, adding that this layout makes taxiing feel like driving to Milwaukee.

Kirby pointed to a shortage of air traffic controllers as a major factor affecting airport operations. He noted that the south tower is often not staffed, and when it is staffed, taxi times are six or seven minutes per flight faster. The comments come as O'Hare has again become the world's busiest airport for takeoffs and landings, and as United Airlines and American Airlines compete for market share during a major terminal expansion project. Earlier this year, the FAA imposed limits on the number of flights operating in and out of O'Hare amid concerns that runways, terminals, and air traffic control resources could be overwhelmed. Kirby stated that increasing air traffic control staffing is critical to expanding the airport's capacity, calling the air traffic control situation the key to unlocking more capacity at O'Hare. ABC7 Chicago reported that messages left for the FAA and the Chicago Department of Aviation were not returned.