On June 17, 1997, the City of Chicago announced that airlines operating at O’Hare International Airport had agreed to use designated noise abatement flight procedures in accordance with the Fly Quiet Program. This program was implemented in an effort to reduce the impacts of aircraft noise on neighborhoods surrounding O’Hare.

The Fly Quiet Program is a voluntary program that encourages pilots and air traffic controllers to use designated nighttime preferential runways and flight tracks developed by the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) in cooperation with the O’Hare Noise Compatibility Commission (ONCC), the airlines and the air traffic controllers. These preferred routes are intended to direct aircraft over less-populated areas, such as forest preserves and highways, as well as commercial and industrial areas.

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) has submitted a Fly Quiet Runway Rotation Test (Test) to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for approval of a six-month test period. The purpose of the test is to evaluate a condition that could be in place until Runway 14R/32L is permanently closed. The Test is intended to occur during the overnight hours when demand requires one arrival and one departure runway. The Test includes a 25-week schedule that consists of 12 weekly periods intended to balance the overnight noise. Each new week will begin on Sunday evening at 10 p.m. or after when demand allows for one arrival and one departure runway.

Fly Quiet Runway 25 Week Rotation Plan

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