Chicago Midway International Airport’s Runway 22L is closed at the departure end for safety repairs to the Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS), effective as of October 20, 2026. The Chicago Department of Aviation confirmed that damage caused by recent aircraft activity necessitated the repairs, which are scheduled to finish by mid-November 2026.
Flight delays and cancellations are expected at Midway due to the runway closure. The Chicago Department of Aviation advised travelers to verify their flight status with airlines before going to the airport. Airline operations and weather conditions, particularly wind direction, will impact how the airport’s four-runway system can
be utilized for arrivals and departures during this period.
EMAS Safety and Federal Oversight
EMAS, a bed of crushable material designed to stop aircraft that overrun runways, is critical at Midway because its runways are shorter than those at larger airports like O’Hare. The Federal Aviation Administration reports that EMAS is installed at more than 70 airports nationwide and has prevented overruns in over 20 incidents. The 2005 fatal Southwest Airlines crash near Central Avenue at Midway underscores the system’s importance and the need for these current repairs.
Operational Impact and Official Statements
According to the Chicago Department of Aviation, “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.” This variability will influence flight handling at Midway throughout the repair period.
