United Airlines will trim more than 100 daily departures from Chicago O’Hare International Airport beginning mid‑May 2026 after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered all carriers at the hub to reduce operations by 12 percent. The FAA action, first reported by the Chicago Sun‑Times, is supposed to ease congestion, improve on‑time performance and address staffing shortfalls among air‑traffic controllers.
United confirmed the cuts in a statement that said reductions will focus on short‑haul routes operated by 50‑seat regional jets while maintaining service on higher‑demand business and international routes. United’s network planners are expected to consolidate frequency using larger aircraft to preserve overall seat capacity.
According to FAA officials quoted by AP News, the directive follows several near‑miss incidents and heavy tarmac congestion during peak travel periods. O’Hare handles about 2,400 daily arrivals and departures—one of the highest totals in North America—and shortages of certified controllers in the Chicago Center region have stretched the system. The agency described the 12‑percent cut as a “temporary flow management measure” that will be reassessed in August.
United CEO Scott Kirby told CNN the company supports the FAA’s safety goals and is “reviewing schedule options to keep our operations reliable.” He said the carrier will relocate select regional flights to nearby airports, including Chicago Midway and Milwaukee, to minimize disruptions.
For travel advisors, the schedule changes mean rechecking itineraries for mid‑summer travel. United said customers whose flights are canceled will be automatically rebooked or may request a full refund. Advisors should monitor client bookings closely, confirm new connection times and review insurance or credit‑card protections when services are affected.
Chicago Aviation Commissioner Jamie Rhee told the Sun‑Times her department supports a short‑term reduction in daily departures to preserve O’Hare’s reputation for safety and reliability. The city expects normal capacity to resume before the Thanksgiving travel period if FAA safety metrics improve.
