This article summarizes reporting by CBS News and journalist Todd Feurer.

Chicago O’Hare Overtakes Atlanta for Flight Operations Title

For the first time since 2019, Chicago’s O’Hare International Airports (ORD) has reclaimed the title of the busiest airport in the United States. According to reporting by CBS News, O’Hare surpassed Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in 2025, ending Atlanta’s multi-year reign at the top of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rankings for flight operations.

The shift in rankings highlights a significant resurgence in air traffic through the Midwest. Data cited in the report indicates that O’Hare’s rise was driven by a 10.5% year-over-year increase in operations. While Atlanta has long held the global crown for passenger volume, the metric for this specific ranking focuses on the sheer number of aircraft movements, takeoffs and landings, rather than the number of people flying.

By the Numbers: Operations vs. Passengers

It is essential to distinguish between the two primary metrics used to rank airport traffic: flight operations and passenger volume. While O’Hare has taken the lead in the number of planes moving through its runways, Atlanta remains the busiest hub for passenger traffic.

According to the preliminary 2025 statistics summarized in the report:

• Chicago O’Hare (ORD): 857,392 operations.
• Atlanta (ATL): 807,625 operations.

This data reveals a strategic divergence between the two hubs. Atlanta typically utilizes larger aircraft with higher load factors, allowing it to transport approximately 108 million passengers compared to O’Hare’s estimated 80 million, despite handling fewer individual flights. O’Hare’s volume is driven by its unique status as a dual-hub for two major carriers, United Airlines and American Airlines, which utilize a high frequency of smaller regional jets alongside mainline aircraft to feed their networks.

The “Capacity War” Driving Growth

The surge in flight operations at O’Hare is largely attributed to aggressive competition between its two largest tenants. Industry analysis suggests that a “capacity war” between United Airlines and American Airlines has significantly inflated flight numbers.

United Airlines has focused on solidifying O’Hare as its premier connecting hub, adding approximately 13 new domestic routes and increasing frequencies across its network. Simultaneously, American Airlines executed a strategy involving the addition of over 100 daily departures specifically targeting the spring break season, alongside new international routes to destinations such as Naples and Madrid.

This intense competition resulted in O’Hare being ranked as the “most connected” airport in the U.S. for 2025. On July 18, 2025, the airport offered more potential flight connections on a single day than any other facility in the country.

AirPro News Analysis: The Cost of Connectivity

While the reclamation of the “busiest” title is a marketing victory for the City of Chicago, we believe it presents a complex reality for travelers. The increase in flight frequency offers passengers more options and potentially lower fares due to carrier competition. However, this volume places immense strain on infrastructure that is currently under construction.

The data indicates a sharp trade-off between volume and reliability. O’Hare’s on-time performance hovered around 64% in 2025, significantly lower than Atlanta’s 79%. For the consumer, the choice between O’Hare and Atlanta may now come down to a preference for schedule frequency (O’Hare) versus operational reliability (Atlanta).

Infrastructure and Future Outlook

The traffic surge comes as Chicago continues its massive “O’Hare 21” modernization project. The city is currently constructing Satellite Concourse 1 and planning a new Global Terminal to replace Terminal 2. These projects are designed to integrate domestic and international operations more seamlessly, though construction logistics currently add to the complexity of ground operations.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson welcomed the news as a sign of economic recovery for the region.

“This is more than a statistic, it’s a statement about Chicago’s momentum… We are open for business, open to the world.”

— Mayor Brandon Johnson (via City of Chicago press statements)

Aviation analysts expect the rivalry between United and American to persist through 2026, likely keeping flight volumes high. However, the gap in passenger numbers between Chicago and Atlanta is expected to remain, as Atlanta continues to maximize efficiency with larger airframes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is O’Hare the busiest airport in the world?
A: In terms of passenger traffic, no, Atlanta (ATL) generally holds that title. O’Hare is currently the busiest in the U.S. regarding flight operations (takeoffs and landings).

Q: Why did O’Hare beat Atlanta this year?
A: The primary drivers were aggressive schedule expansions by United and American Airlines, resulting in a 10.5% increase in flight operations year-over-year.

Q: Does more flights mean more delays?
A: Often, yes. In 2025, O’Hare reported an on-time performance rate of approximately 64%, while Atlanta maintained a higher reliability rate of 79%.

Sources

CBS News, City of Chicago Department of Aviation

Airlines CEO Welcomes Musk Investment Amidst Public Feud and Booking Boost

Ryanair Group Chief Executive Michael O’Leary has publicly stated that the airline would welcome an investment from Elon Musk, despite an ongoing and colorful public dispute between the two executives. Speaking at a press conference in Dublin on January 21, 2026, O’Leary addressed recent social media exchanges with the tech billionaire, noting that the conflict has inadvertently driven a measurable increase in ticket sales.

According to reporting by Reuters, O’Leary confirmed that while Musk is free to purchase shares in the European low-cost carrier, regulatory barriers would prevent him from acquiring a controlling stake. The comments come after days of online insults, during which Musk criticized Ryanair’s refusal to adopt SpaceX’s Starlink Wi-Fi service.

O’Leary, known for his opportunistic approach to public relations, revealed that the high-profile spat has generated significant free publicity for the airline. He claimed that bookings rose by 2-3% over the five-day period leading up to his remarks, attributing the spike directly to the attention generated by the feud.

Investment Comments and EU Regulations

During the press conference, O’Leary responded to Musk’s social media posts, some of which jokingly threatened to buy the airline, by encouraging the investment from a financial perspective. He suggested that Ryanair would offer better returns than Musk’s recent acquisition of social media platform X.

“If he wants to invest in Ryanair, we would think it’s a very good investment.”

— Michael O’Leary (via Reuters)

Ownership Restrictions

However, O’Leary clarified that a full takeover is legally impossible under current European Union laws. As a United States citizen, Musk falls under the restrictions of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008. This regulation mandates that EU airlines must be more than 50% owned and effectively controlled by EU Member States or their nationals to maintain their operating licenses.

Consequently, non-EU nationals are generally capped at owning 49% of the company’s shares. This legal framework ensures that European carriers remain under European control, a point O’Leary emphasized to temper the notion of a hostile takeover.

The Origins of the Dispute: Starlink and “Fuel Drag”

The conflict began as a business disagreement regarding in-flight connectivity. Ryanair publicly rejected the installation of Starlink satellite internet on its fleet, citing cost and aerodynamic concerns. O’Leary argued that the antennas required for the service would add weight and create “fuel drag,” potentially increasing fuel consumption by approximately 2%.

For an ultra-low-cost carrier operating on thin margins, O’Leary asserted that an estimated cost of €150–€250 million per year for connectivity was unsustainable, particularly given his belief that passengers on short-haul flights are unwilling to pay for Wi-Fi.

Technical Disagreement

Elon Musk responded on X, disputing the technical claims. He labeled O’Leary “misinformed,” asserting that modern Starlink antennas, specifically the Electronically Steered Phased Array type, are low-profile and impose a negligible fuel penalty, estimated by Musk at closer to 0.3%.

Marketing Pivot: The “Big Idiot Seat Sale”

True to form, Ryanair pivoted the personal insults into a marketing campaign. After Musk referred to O’Leary as an “idiot” and a “chimp” on social media, the airline launched a flash sale dubbed the “Big Idiot Seat Sale.” The promotion offered fares starting from €16.99, explicitly dedicated to “Elon and any other idiots on X.”

O’Leary expressed indifference to the personal nature of the attacks, prioritizing the commercial upside.

“I welcome the accusation that I’m a chimp… as long as it increases Ryanair bookings… it’s all good fun and entertainment.”

— Michael O’Leary (Public Statement)

AirPro News Analysis

The rapid conversion of a corporate dispute into a sales event highlights Ryanair’s longstanding Strategy of leveraging controversy for earned media. While the technical debate regarding Starlink’s drag coefficient (2% vs 0.3%) involves legitimate engineering questions, O’Leary’s primary objective appears to be protecting the airline’s cost base while capitalizing on the visibility of Musk’s platform. By engaging with Musk, Ryanair secures global headlines without traditional advertising spend, a tactic that aligns perfectly with its ultra-low-cost business model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Elon Musk buy Ryanair?

He can buy shares, but he cannot buy a controlling interest (more than 49%) because he is not an EU citizen. EU Regulation 1008/2008 requires European airlines to be majority-owned by EU nationals.

Why did Ryanair reject Starlink?

Ryanair cited high costs and aerodynamic “fuel drag” (increasing fuel burn by roughly 2%) as the primary reasons. CEO Michael O’Leary also argued that passengers on short flights are unlikely to pay for the service.

Did the feud actually help Ryanair?

According to Michael O’Leary, the publicity from the dispute drove a 2-3% increase in bookings over a five-day period in January 2026.

Sources

• Reuters
• Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008

This article summarizes reporting by Daily Sabah.

Ankara Esenboğa Airport Unveils $346 Million Expansion and New Runway

On Monday, officials in Türkiye inaugurated a major infrastructure expansion at Ankara Esenboğa Airport (ESB), marking a significant step in the capital’s aviation development. According to reporting by Daily Sabah, the project includes a new third runway, a modernized air traffic control tower, and upgraded cargo facilities. The expansion represents a total investment of €298 million (approximately $346 million).

The ceremony was attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, alongside executives from the airport operator, TAV Airports. The project aims to elevate Ankara’s status from a domestic connector to a competitive international hub, increasing the airport’s annual passenger capacity from 20 million to 30 million immediately.

This development is part of a broader strategic vision often referred to as the “Century of Türkiye,” which prioritizes logistics and infrastructure to support economic growth. By enhancing the capacity of the capital’s airport, officials aim to reduce reliance on Istanbul’s hubs for international connectivity.

Financial Model: Public-Private Partnership

A central theme of the inauguration was the financial structure of the expansion. President Erdoğan highlighted that the substantial investment was achieved without direct public spending. The project utilized a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, wherein TAV Airports, a member of Groupe ADP, financed the construction.

In addition to covering the construction costs, the concession agreement ensures significant revenue for the state. TAV Airports secured the operating rights for Esenboğa Airport from 2025 through 2050. As part of this agreement, the operator is committed to paying the state a total of €560 million (including VAT) in rent over the 25-year lease period.

“We have implemented yet another one of the most successful examples of the public-private partnership model… without a single penny coming out of our state’s coffers.”

, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (via Anadolu Agency)

Technical Specifications and Capacity Upgrades

The centerpiece of the expansion is the new third runway. According to technical data cited in the research reports, the runway measures 3,750 meters in length and 60 meters in width. Its construction allows Esenboğa Airport to operate with a parallel runway configuration, enabling simultaneous independent operations. This upgrade is expected to significantly increase the hourly aircraft traffic capacity, reducing delays and accommodating future demand.

Alongside the runway, a new air traffic control tower has been constructed. Standing 77 meters tall, the tower is equipped with modern digital aviation technologies designed to manage the complex flow of increased air traffic. The expansion also includes:

• Cargo Apron: An 85,000-square-meter area with capacity for six aircraft.
• Technical Block: A 13,500-square-meter facility supporting airport operations.
• Fire Safety: A new Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) station.
• Total Paved Area: Approximately 945,000 square meters of new infrastructure, including taxiways and service roads.

AirPro News Analysis: Strategic Implications for Ankara

While Istanbul has long served as the primary global gateway for Türkiye, anchored by the massive Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW), this expansion signals a shift in strategy for the capital. Historically, Ankara Esenboğa has functioned largely as a domestic hub, feeding traffic into Istanbul for long-haul connections.

The introduction of a third runway and the capacity jump to 30 million passengers suggests a push to attract more direct international routes. With traffic projections estimating 23.1 million passengers by 2035, the infrastructure is now built ahead of demand, a move that could incentivize international carriers to consider Ankara as a viable secondary entry point into the country.

Future Phases and Long-Term Vision

The current inauguration marks the completion of Phase 1 of the expansion plan. TAV Airports and government authorities have outlined a roadmap for future development based on traffic triggers. A second phase is projected for realization by 2040, or sooner if passenger demand dictates.

Phase 2 plans include an expansion of the terminal building by at least 40,000 square meters and an additional 58,000 square meters of apron space. These future works would push the airport’s capacity even higher, aligning with long-term projections of 31.5 million passengers by 2045.

“Our airport will represent the gateway of our capital to the world in a stronger and more modern way.”

, Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu (via Anadolu Agency)

The aggressive expansion of Türkiye’s aviation sector has seen the number of active airports rise from 26 in 2002 to 58 today, with a target of reaching 60 in the near future. This project reinforces the government’s commitment to maintaining a robust construction pipeline in the transport sector.

Sources

Sources: Daily Sabah, Anadolu Agency, TAV Airports Investor Relations