Local
Midway to keep Runway 22L closed for safety-system repairs through mid-November
Chicago officials closed one of Midway’s four runways after damage to equipment meant to help stop an aircraft that overruns the runway. The closure may disrupt flights while repairs are underway, with the effects depending in part on weather and wind direction.
One of the four runways at Chicago Midway International Airport closed late Monday, Oct. 19, after damage to a safety system prompted an immediate shutdown, the Chicago Department of Aviation said. Repairs are expected to continue through mid-November.
The affected runway, 22L, has damage to its Engineered Materials Arresting System, or EMAS, at the departure end. The department said recent aircraft activity and jet blast damaged the system.
EMAS is designed to help stop planes that overrun or veer off a runway, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Chicago aviation officials said they are coordinating with the FAA to restore the runway to service as quickly and safely as possible.
The closure could lead to flight delays or cancellations, though officials said the extent of disruption will depend on airline schedules and weather. Wind direction is a factor because it affects how Midway’s remaining runway network can handle arrivals and departures.
“Safety is the top priority at Chicago’s airports, and we are working to complete these repairs safely and promptly,” Chicago Department of Aviation Commissioner Michael McMurray said in a statement.