FAA launches review after control center fire

The Federal Aviation Administration on Monday launched a month-long review of its air traffic contingency plans after a fire at an Illinois center led to thousands of canceled flights in Chicago.

FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said the review would also look into the security protocols of air traffic control facilities.

The fire was allegedly set by a contract worker who then attempted to commit suicide in the Aurora, Ill., building, according to police.

{mosads}”If we need to make changes as a result of what happened on Friday to improve the system, we will not hesitate to do so,” Huerta said during a speech in front of the Air Traffic Control Association. 

Separately on Sunday, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) asked inspectors general for the Department of Transportation and the FAA to investigate whether there was a security breach when the contractor entered the building. 

Durbin questioned why the suspect, who entered the facility with his swipe card, did not arouse suspicion when bringing a suitcase into the office. According to reports, authorities found a gas can, knives and a lighter at the scene. 

Aurora police on Friday said the incident seemed to be isolated, and found “no indications of terrorism at this time.” 

More than 2,000 flights were canceled Friday from Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway international airports. The two airports are still recovering, with O’Hare reaching 60 percent capacity as of Monday and Midway reaching 75 percent. 

Huerta said all the damaged communications equipment would need to be replaced at the Aurora facility, which handles air traffic over five states. He said the equipment should be rebuilt by Oct. 13. 

Until then, air traffic control for the region has been transferred to other facilities, in Minneapolis, Kansas City, Cleveland and Indianapolis. 

“Over the next 30 days, they will take a look at our plans to make sure we are prepared to both assure the safety of aircraft but also the efficiency of the system,” Huerta said. “I want to make sure we have all the tools in place to get our airspace back up and running as quickly as possible.”  

— This story was updated at 12:51 p.m.