Update on Aurora: Huerta Calls for Full Review of FAA Contingency Plans and Security Protocols

FAA Administrator Michael P. Huerta today announced the agency is conducting a 30-day review of contingency plans and security protocols for its major facilities, after a criminal action by a contractor on Friday knocked out communications equipment at an FAA high-altitude air traffic facility in Aurora, IL.

"I do understand the traveling public's frustrations with flight delays and cancellations," Huerta said. "The air transportation system is vital to our economy and people rely on it to function 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I want to make sure that we have the most robust contingency plans possible."

Huerta made the announcement in a speech at an Air Traffic Control Association conference in Maryland.

Update on situation in Aurora:

Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers continued to increase the volume of flights for air travelers into and out of the Chicago-area airports today. By noon local time, more than 80 percent of the average Monday traffic for the past two months was flying in and out of O’Hare, and more than 90 percent of the two-month Monday average traffic was operating at Midway.

The first shipment of replacement communications equipment arrived at the Chicago En Route Center in Aurora, IL overnight, and technicians started cable work, configuration and installation today. The FAA expects additional shipments of equipment to arrive tonight and tomorrow night and has technicians and material available to start quickly installing the equipment as it arrives.

Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and FAA Administrator Michael P. Huerta are putting full resources behind the effort to minimize the impact on travelers and restore Chicago Center to full capacity.

The Department of Transportation and the FAA appreciate the patience of the traveling public and the cooperation of its aviation partners and hard-working employees as it works on restoring full air traffic services as quickly as possible.