United CEO Urges More Air Traffic Controllers at O'Hare

Scott Kirby says understaffed FAA towers are slowing aircraft taxiing at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Air Travel

Commercial airliners queued on a long concrete taxiway across a flat open airfield under a pale sky, with a distant control tower. — United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby urged the FAA to add air traffic controllers to speed aircraft taxiing at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, which has among the longest taxi times in the country. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you think air travel delays in your area are getting better or worse?

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby urged the FAA to increase air traffic controller staffing to ease lengthy aircraft taxi times at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. O'Hare has among the longest taxi times in the country, and its south tower is often unstaffed.

Why it matters

Kirby said controller staffing is the key to unlocking more capacity at O'Hare, which has again become the world's busiest airport for takeoffs and landings. Earlier this year the FAA limited the number of flights operating in and out of the airport.

Average taxi-in time at O'Hare is 20 minutes and taxi-out time is 28 minutes, with flights running six to seven minutes faster when the south tower is staffed. The FAA and Chicago Department of Aviation had not responded to requests for comment on staffing plans.

The players

Scott Kirby

Scott Kirby is the chief executive of United Airlines, one of the largest carriers operating at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

Federal Aviation Administration

The Federal Aviation Administration is the U.S. agency responsible for regulating air traffic control and aviation safety across the country.

The details

Speaking at an appearance before the Executives' Club of Chicago, Kirby said aircraft must travel around the whole airport to reach their gates. O'Hare is the only U.S. airport where taxiing aircraft cannot cross runways, and United and American Airlines are competing for market share during a major terminal expansion.

Earlier this year: the FAA imposed limits on flights in and out of O'Hare.
November 11, 2026: Kirby urged the FAA to boost controller staffing.
Upcoming holiday travel season: busy travel period approaches amid taxi delays.

Season Trajectory

The staffing push follows the FAA's earlier 2026 limits on O'Hare flights, which capped operations at the airport. Kirby's comments frame controller shortages as the constraint that caps O'Hare's capacity as it regains its status as the world's busiest airport for takeoffs and landings.

Travelers connecting through O'Hare should allow extra time for taxiing, since aircraft can take 20 minutes to taxi in and 28 minutes to taxi out. Booking earlier flights during the upcoming holiday season may reduce the risk of missed connections.

The takeaway

Controller staffing, not just runway space, is a major limit on how many flights O'Hare can handle. Travelers who plan extra buffer time for connections will be better protected against taxi-related delays.