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Chicago's Daley Orders Midnight Closure of Meigs Field Via Bulldozer
Shortly after midnight on March 31, construction equipment
with police escort arrived at Chicago's Meigs
Field (CGX) to address "homeland
security issues" at the airport by carving "X"-shaped
patterns across the runway. The action effectively
closed the airport, stranding nearly a dozen
aircraft on the ramp. NBAA is outraged by
the actions taken by the City of Chicago, especially
since an agreement struck last year between
Daley and former Governor George Ryan would
have kept the airport open at least until 2006. "We are shocked
that the mayor has taken this unilateral action
without apparent coordination with the Federal
Aviation Administration, Department of Homeland
Security and airport users," said NBAA President Jack Olcott. "This
action is inconsistent with Federal safety
requirements and the normal communication process." The city has
yet to announce any plan to allow the stranded
aircraft to depart. NBAA Members are encouraged
to check all NOTAMs relating to airspace and
airport closures around Chicago. Additionally,
Members also should visit NBAA's
Contact Congress web site at to inform their Congressional representatives
about this recent action. NBAA will provide
updates as they develop.
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