The FAA says it has restored full air traffic operations at Chicago Center after a fire damaged computer systems more than two weeks ago.
Service was restored early Monday after the September 26 fire at the Chicago En Route Center in Aurora, Illinois, which officials say was intentionally set by a disgruntled contract employee. ATC resumed full control of the center’s airspace from adjoining centers between midnight and 1 a.m.
Authorities have said the contract employee cut cables and used gasoline to set fire to a basement telecommunications room. The disruption forced the shutdown of O’Hare and Midway airports and caused the cancellations of thousands of flights that had a ripple effect on travel nationwide.
The FAA says it is now conducting a 30-day review of contingency plans and security protocols for its major air traffic centers as a result.
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