Chicago and FAA officials have asked AOPA to help them find solutions for regional airline delays. AOPA will join the 2001 Chicago Delay Task Force, a group of technical experts that will recommend solutions "capable of reducing aircraft delay at O'Hare International Airport and its surrounding airspace."
"Anything done to O'Hare will have impact on the region's airspace and surrounding airports," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "We want to make sure that the solutions take general aviation into account.
"We will also remind that task force that the region's reliever airports, including Meigs Field, are key to relieving congestion at O'Hare and Midway airports."
The task force, which will be co-chaired by the manager of the FAA's Chicago Airports District Office and Chicago's deputy aviation commissioner was announced Monday. Over the weekend, U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) warned that Congress would intervene if Chicago didn't take action to reduce airline delays by July 1.
AOPA has already been active on the political front. An AOPA-produced TV commercial is airing on Illinois TV stations, reminding politicians and the public that Meigs Field is part of the solution.
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