Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) has recently faced multiple incidents of runway incursions involving ground vehicles, raising serious safety concerns for air traffic operations.
Last year, the airport recorded three such violations where vehicles entered active runway areas without obtaining the necessary permission from air traffic control (ATC).
One notable incident occurred on April 21, 2024, when a city vehicle accessed Runway 10C/28C from a taxiway without ATC authorization.
As the vehicle progressed along the runway, an American Eagle regional aircraft was approaching and had to cancel its landing and execute a go-around due to safety concerns.
ATC attempted to reach out to the vehicle to either direct it to exit or make it aware of the incoming aircraft, but they were unable to establish communication.
As a result of this violation, the driver of the city vehicle faced disciplinary action, receiving a five-day unpaid suspension for his role in the incident, which was classified as substandard work performance.
The Chicago Sun Times reported quotes from a city aviation department spokesperson emphasizing that safety is the airport’s top priority, asserting that out of the thousands of employees certified to operate on the airfield, these incidents represent a small portion of overall operations.
In addition to the April incident, two more runway incursions occurred on July 2, 2024, involving ground workers who erroneously accessed Runway 4R/22L after its reopening for inspection.
In this case, one employee and a trainee drove a vehicle onto the runway without seeking the required ATC clearance, even though the runway was not actively in use at the time.
Their unauthorized access extended to the midpoint of the runway before turning back towards Taxiway Y3.
The employee was subsequently given a two-day unpaid suspension, while the trainee received a ticket but faced no further punitive measures.
Another significant incident took place in January 2024 when a city worker was reprimanded for entering a restricted area as a flight was set to land nearby, adding to the scrutiny surrounding ground vehicle operations.
Both the employees in question were affiliated with union organizations, which advocate for progressive disciplinary measures in such circumstances.
In response to rising concerns about runway safety, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducted comprehensive audits across 45 of the busiest US airports last year.
These audits aimed to examine runway incursion risks and identify vulnerabilities in current operational procedures, technology, and equipment.
The FAA’s investigations pointed to factors contributing to these incidents, including staffing shortages, inexperienced personnel, and outdated air traffic control technology.
To bolster safety measures, the FAA announced a plan last month to install runway incursion devices at 74 airports nationwide, a move that aligns with initiatives launched during the ‘Safety Call to Action’ event in February 2023.
So far, four airports have successfully received these advanced devices, including Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), Denver Centennial Airport (APA), Kansas City Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (MKC), and Portland International Airport (PDX).
In the coming months, additional airports like Denver International Airport (DEN), Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), and Tampa International Airport (TPA) are on schedule to receive similar safety installations.
As O’Hare continues to address runway incursions, the commitment to improving safety and operational protocols remains a critical focus for airport authorities and the FAA.
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