By Townhall Chicago News Staff
The Chicago Department of Aviation on Monday announced the immediate closure of Runway 22L at Midway International Airport for repairs to a damaged runway safety system, with work targeted for completion in mid-November.
The Engineered Materials Arresting System, or EMAS, at the departure end of Runway 22L sustained damage from recent aircraft activity, including jet blast, necessitating the repairs, the CDA said in a news release. EMAS is a bed of crushable material designed to stop aircraft that overrun or veer off a runway during landing.
“Safety is the top priority at Chicago’s airports, and we are working to complete these repairs safely and promptly,” CDA Commissioner Michael McMurray said in the release. “We’re coordinating closely with our partners at the FAA and the airlines to reduce disruptions for travelers and return the airfield to normal operating conditions as quickly and safely as possible.”
The closure has the potential to cause flight delays and cancellations. The extent of disruptions will vary based on airline schedules and weather conditions, particularly wind direction, which affects how the airport’s four-runway network handles arrivals and departures, the CDA said.
Midway’s runways are shorter than those at O’Hare International Airport, making safety systems like EMAS particularly important at the Southwest Side facility. The Federal Aviation Administration says EMAS is installed at more than 70 airports nationwide and has safely stopped more than 20 aircraft that overran a runway, according to the FAA.
The sudden nature of the closure drew attention from aviation observers. Joe Schweiterman, an aviation expert at DePaul University, called it “a big deal for an airport that just has a couple crossing runways,” noting that such repairs are typically planned months in advance, according to ABC7 Chicago.
“This will stop a plane really fast. The wheels will get an effect. The friction from this breakable surface will stop the plane abruptly, and that’s seen as critical with the short runways we have at Midway,” Schweiterman said, according to the station’s report.
The repair timeline means the runway will be out of service during the weeks leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday travel season, when Midway typically sees increased passenger volume.
The CDA is coordinating with the FAA and airlines operating at Midway to minimize operational impacts. Travelers are encouraged to monitor their flight status and check with their airline before heading to the airport. Passengers whose flights are affected should work directly with their carrier on rebooking or itinerary changes.
The CDA said it will keep travelers and airport partners informed throughout the repair process.
Source: Chicago Department of Aviation News
