The Airforwarders Association (AfA) has criticized the Federal Aviation Administration’s decision to cut hundreds of flights a day at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, a move which it says reflects long-standing failures to invest in aviation infrastructure and air traffic control.
The FAA has ordered airlines to reduce operations at O’Hare to 2,708 daily flights during the summer season, down from more than 3,000 planned peak-day movements to reduce delays and congestion at one of the busiest cargo and passenger hubs in the US.
AfA executive director, Brandon Fried, said: “This is not a surprise, it is the consequence of years of underinvestment in airport infrastructure and a failure to adequately staff the air traffic control system. When demand outpaces what the system can safely handle, the result is disruption, reduced capacity, and higher costs that ripple across the supply chain.”
AfA warned that the cuts would constrain air cargo capacity, increase delays, and add further pressure to already strained supply chains, particularly for time-sensitive shipments.
It also reiterated its call for an immediate resolution to the ongoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown, warning the situation is approaching a critical point for aviation security. More than 780 Transportation Security Administration officers have resigned during the shutdown and funding for the twice-monthly payroll is expected to end in early May.
“While aviation security remains robust, the longer-term impact of workforce disruption is real,” said Fried. “We urgently need a resolution that restores stability, including a sustainable, long-term approach to pay for Transportation Security Administration personnel.”
AfA is calling on federal authorities to take coordinated action to address the issues.
