Midway International Airport (MDW) control tower was shut down Tuesday afternoon March 17, 2020 by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) after several employees tested positive for Coronavirus COVID-19.
The last flight believed to be allowed to take off is a Southwest Airlines flight to LaGuardia Airport (LGA). The aircraft took off about 5:12 p.m. CT.
The situation is believed to be temporary, and the airport terminals remain open. However, there are several flight canceled.
The latest FAA guidance says the airport will remain open until 0100UTC or 8:00 p.m. CDT. The airport is on ground stop, which means aircraft from other airports destine for Midway will be permitted to take off.
The official FAA website indicates 1 Ground Stoppage at Midway International Airport …
Ground Stop
Ground Stops are implemented for a number of reasons. The most common reasons are:To control air traffic volume to airports when the projected traffic demand is expected to exceed the airport’s acceptance rate for a short period of time.
To temporarily stop traffic allowing for the implementation of a longer-term solution, such as a Ground Delay Program.
The affected airport’s acceptance rate has been reduced to zero.
How it works:Flights that are destined to the affected airport are held at their departure point for the duration of the Ground Stop.
— FAA
MDW
OTHER / OTHEREnding 5:15 pm CDT.
DEVELOPING …
Midway Airport (MDW) in Chicago is now ground stopped (flights not yet in the air are not allowed to depart). Latest FAA guidance says the airport will remain open until 0100UTC.
Currently, the last flight into MDW in the air is https://t.co/r9SciKS67Bhttps://t.co/bJpnp5VUHa pic.twitter.com/QNDuDUijG2
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) March 17, 2020
^^ MOBILE? USE VOICE MIC ^^
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Midway International Airport is located at 5700 S Cicero Ave, Chicago, Illinois on Chicago’s southwest side.