Seattle-Tacoma, Chicago O'Hare, Washington Dulles Airports Open New Runways Thursday

November 20, 2008 8:11 a.m. EST

Chicago, IL. (AHN) - Aviation capacity will expand in three major U.S. airports Thursday with the opening of new runways costing $1.9 billion at the Chicago O'Hare International, Seattle-Tacoma International and Washington Dulles International Airports.

The opening of new runways will allow more aircraft to land at busy airports, especially during peak periods. The new Seattle runway will permit 20 extra planes to land per hour during bad weather, which will increase the gateway's capacity by 60 percent.

Federal Aviation Administration acting chief Bobby Sturgell said the new runways will reduce incidents of flight delays caused by aircraft congestion. Seattle airport spokesman Perry Cooper said the new runway will reduce delays by more than 50 percent. Seattle is the 27th busiest airport in the U.S. In 2007 it handled 347,500 landings and takeoffs.

Some major air carriers, though, are not happy with the expansion at O'Hare International Airport. According to the Chicago Tribune, American Airlines and United Airlines called for airport authorities to stop the next phase of the expansion project because of its flaws.

The two major carriers who land at O'Hare said the expansion was premature and inappropriate with the anticipated drop in air travel and the bleak outlook for the international aviation industry.

The two carriers and four others airlines which are heavy users of O'Hare wrote city planners to downsize plans for the expansion amid the expected downturn in air travel. The expansion of O'Hare is part of Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games.