Overview
- The Chicago Department of Aviation announced late Monday that Runway 22L was closed immediately after crews found damage to the Engineered Materials Arresting System, or EMAS, at the runway’s departure end.
- EMAS is a crushable bed of engineered material placed at runway ends to stop aircraft that overrun or veer off a runway, and the FAA says it is a key safety measure at airports with short runways like Midway.
- The CDA expects repairs to be finished by mid-November and is coordinating with the Federal Aviation Administration and airlines to complete work safely and restore normal operations as quickly as possible.
- The sudden loss of one of Midway’s four runways cuts the airport’s operating capacity and could cause flight delays or cancellations, with impacts varying by airline schedules and wind direction; aviation experts warn peak weekends and holiday travel could be hardest hit.
- Travelers are advised to check flight status and work with carriers for rebooking or changes, and the closure recalls Midway’s 2005 overrun accident that underscored why EMAS is critical for safety.