The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday that issues with air traffic control center phone lines caused arrivals and departures from the city's two major airports to be delayed.
FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory confirmed Monday that problems with several lines between the Chicago Terminal Radar Approach Control facility in suburban Elgin, Ill. and the FAA's adjoining en route centers caused the delays.
Flights were initially delayed at both O'Hare and Midway International. But by late evening, only O'Hare was experiencing delays.
Monday's problems come after an intentionally set fire Sept. 27 damaged communications equipment at an Aurora, Ill. control center, causing more than 2,000 canceled flights. MyFoxChicago reported that the control facilities affected by the phone issues were handling flights that would normally have been taken by the Aurora facility.
The FAA says the replacement equipment for that facility continues to arrive for installation and testing. The control center is expected to be fully operational by next week.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
