FAA Chief Orders Review Of Chicago Air Traffic Snarl

The head of the Federal Aviation Administration says he's ordered a review of the agency's security protocols and how it deals with unexpected incidents such as last week's fire at a Chicago-area air traffic facility that disrupted air travel.

The fire in Aurora brought flights at the city's two busy airports to a halt and affected air service across the country. Authorities say it was set by a contract employee who also tried to commit suicide.
 
FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said Monday that he has asked the team of FAA employees and labor union representatives conducting the 30-day review to "think as creatively as possible.''
 
He said service at O'Hare International Airport is back to 60 percent of normal and Midway airport is operating at 75 percent of normal.

The FAA said Sunday it hopes to return the Aurora facility to full service by Oct. 13.  About 300 flights were canceled Monday at O'Hare. There were none at Midway, but delays were about 40 minutes. 

Crews are working to install replacement equipment. Aurora's air traffic controllers are at other FAA offices in the Midwest.