PASS Statement on Situation in Chicago

Details: Published: September 26, 2014

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) technical employees represented by the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS) are on the scene in Chicago addressing a situation that triggered the cancellation of more than 1,300 flights at O’Hare International Airport and nearby Midway Airport. Due to a fire earlier in the day currently under investigation at the Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) in Aurora, Ill., the facility has been shut down and all air traffic services suspended.

PASS has been informed by members on the scene that the extent of the damage is significant but remains under investigation. Current information indicates that the damage is localized to the fiber optic systems; however, the investigation is ongoing. The technical workforce represented by PASS is on site continuing to assess the extent of the damage and work to restore the facility.

“Technical employees are operating at the highest level to address the issue, analyze the impacts and bring the facility back online,” said National President Mike Perrone. “We have the finest federal workforce in the world on location to provide their expertise and support during this time.”

For more information or questions, please contact Jessica Cigich at 202.293.7277 ext. 117 or 202.701.4725.

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For 37 years, PASS has represented more than 11,000 employees of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Defense who install, maintain, support and certify air traffic control and national defense equipment, inspect and oversee the commercial and general aviation industries, develop flight procedures and perform quality analyses of the aviation systems. For more information, visit the PASS website at www.passnational.org.