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CHICAGO — Sunday proved to be a challenging day for travelers at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, where over 300 flights faced cancellations amidst significant delays. This widespread disruption has been affecting the bustling Northwest Side hub.
The Federal Aviation Administration reports that a ground delay is in place at O’Hare due to ongoing runway construction. This delay is expected to persist from 7:45 a.m. to 9:59 p.m., impacting both domestic and international flights.
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As of late afternoon, specifically 4:11 p.m., a total of 348 flights had been canceled, with passengers experiencing delays averaging 53 minutes. These disruptions are a part of a larger national issue, with more than 2,100 flights being canceled across the United States on Sunday.
The nationwide flight cancellations are primarily attributed to the recent government shutdown, which has led the Federal Aviation Administration to mandate a reduction in air traffic. Major airports, including O’Hare, are now experiencing their third consecutive day of slowed operations, exacerbating travel frustrations.
According to FlightAware, a service that monitors flight disruptions, Sunday alone saw over 7,000 additional delays as the slowdown affected 40 of the country’s busiest airports. This ongoing situation continues to ripple through the air travel industry, causing inconvenience to countless passengers nationwide.
Snow could also become an issue at O’Hare, as a Winter Storm Warning is set to go into effect in Cook County at 9 p.m.
Parts of the Chicago area could see several inches of snow Sunday night into Monday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.