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FAA Replaces O'Hare Ground Stop With U.S.-Wide Delays to Chicago as Icing and High Winds Disrupt Holiday Travel

The shift manages arrival demand after warnings of severe final-descent icing into Chicago.

Overview

  • The FAA halted some departures to Chicago around 8:45 a.m. CT for flights leaving Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Omaha due to severe icing risk.
  • The agency lifted the stop around 10 a.m. CT and activated a ground delay program for all U.S. flights bound for O'Hare.
  • Aircraft at Minneapolis–Saint Paul were deiced before departure to remove accumulated snow and ice.
  • Reported average delays diverged as the FAA cited roughly 68 minutes while the Chicago Department of Aviation reported under 15 minutes.
  • A National Weather Service wind advisory for the Chicago area warns of gusts up to 60 mph and remains in effect until 9 p.m.