Chicago Midway International Airport closed Runway 22L on October 20, 2026, to carry out safety repairs following damage at the departure end caused by recent aircraft operations.
EMAS Repairs at Midway
The work focuses on repairing the Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS), a bed of crushable material installed at the runway’s end designed to stop aircraft that overrun the runway during landing. EMAS is particularly important at Midway, where runway lengths are shorter than those at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
Operational Impact and Traveler Guidance
The closure is expected to result in flight delays and cancellations at Midway. The Chicago Department of Aviation has confirmed the disruption and advises
travelers to check their flight status with their airline prior to heading to the airport.
“The extent of these disruptions will vary based on airline schedules and weather conditions, particularly wind direction, which affects how the airport’s four-runway network can be used for arrivals and departures,” the department stated.
Repairs are projected to be complete by mid-November 2026.
The Federal Aviation Administration oversees EMAS installations at over 70 U.S. airports. The system has safely stopped more than 20 aircraft nationwide that have overrun runways, preventing potential accidents.
At Midway, EMAS repairs are critical in preventing incidents like the 2005 crash
when a Southwest Airlines flight slid off Runway 22L and crashed through a fence onto Central Avenue, resulting in fatalities.
