Warns Weather Still Culprit Of Congestion

U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta says new schedule cutbacks at O'Hare International Airport should reduce delays, except during periods of bad weather. Under pressure from the Department of Transportation, United Airlines and American Airlines voluntarily agreed in January to reduce their peak-hour schedules by 5 percent starting March 4. United and American account for about 88 percent of flights at O'Hare.
 
"On days when the weather has been good, the reductions have helped," said the transportation secretary. "But when the airport has suffered high winds, the delays are unavoidable."
O'Hare suffered serious delays in November and December, which caused more than a 10 percent increase in average delays at the nation's 35 largest airports. The schedule cutbacks, which affect flights between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m., will expire in six months.

Mr. Mineta visited the airport last week for briefings on how the new schedule changes are being implemented.

"While it is way too early to make any judgments, today's tours have given me confidence that we will soon see positive results," according to a statement he made at a press conference. "In fact, I believe that, when the winter weather is behind us, we will see a dramatic improvement."

"Flight delays are an economic drain on this country, and they clog the free flow of people and products," Mr. Mineta added. "The level of congestion that we are seeing at O'Hare could soon become a problem for our entire nation."

"Our nation cannot afford to return to the days of gridlock and delay. And we will continue to take action both here at O'Hare and throughout the country to avoid just that."

FMI: www.ohare.com/ohare/home.asp