Airlines seek downsizing of O'Hare expansion

The Chicago Tribune, citing documents it has obtained, is reporting major airlines serving O'Hare International Airport have called for a halt to an expansion project.

The Tribune reports American, United and several other airlines are calling the O'Hare plan flawed and oppose more spending on expansion. According to statements sent to city and federal authorities, the airlines are calling Chicago's effort to move ahead with the project "premature and inappropriate" because of the decline in air travel and the airline industry's uncertain future.

The O'Hare project includes replacing intersecting runways with a parallel runway system and new passenger terminals that the airlines are now calling "ill-conceived."

The city contends the airlines are letting short-term financial concerns overshadow gains to be reaped from reconfiguring O'Hare.