Chicago Midway International Airport closed Runway 22L on October 20, 2026, for safety repairs at the departure end of the runway. The closure addresses damage to the Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS), a critical safety feature designed to stop aircraft that overrun the runway.
EMAS Role and Safety Significance
The EMAS at Runway 22L consists of a bed of crushable material that can safely halt planes that cannot stop on the runway. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, EMAS is installed at over 70 airports across the US and has successfully stopped more than 20 aircraft overrun incidents. Midway’s EMAS system is particularly important because
its runways are shorter than those at O’Hare International Airport. This safety system remains vital following the 2005 Southwest Airlines crash, when a plane slid off a Midway runway at the Central Avenue location, resulting in fatalities.
Flight Disruptions and Official Statements
The Chicago Department of Aviation announced that the Runway 22L closure will cause flight delays and cancellations. The department warned that disruptions will vary depending on airline schedules and weather factors, especially wind direction, which impacts the use of Midway’s four-runway network for arrivals and departures. Travelers are advised to monitor flight status updates and contact airlines before traveling to the airport.
Repairs
to the EMAS system are expected to be completed by mid-November 2026. The Chicago Department of Aviation emphasized that weather and operational factors will influence how the runway network functions during the repair period.
