CHANGES in air lanes could reduce delays at Chicago, Milwaukee airports, FAA finds

CHICAGO (AP) _ Adding and altering flight corridors would help reduce delays at Chicago's O'Hare and Midway airports, and Milwaukee's Mitchell Airport, while doing little harm to the environment,

Thursday, September 6th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

CHICAGO (AP) _ Adding and altering flight corridors would help reduce delays at Chicago's O'Hare and Midway airports, and Milwaukee's Mitchell Airport, while doing little harm to the environment, a Federal Aviation Administration study found.

Such changes also would not increase aircraft noise, according to the study, released Tuesday.

The recommended changes include adding high-altitude air lanes and reducing spacing between aircraft.

``It will allow for greater efficiencies in the routes to Chicago, and it safely addresses some of the interim needs to reduce delays,'' said Kitty Freidheim, the city's managing deputy aviation commissioner for planning and development.

The changes, however, would not eliminate the need for additional runways to accommodate increased travel in the area, FAA and Chicago aviation officials said.

Critics leery of additional airport pollution and noise called the FAA report a thinly veiled ploy to increase flights at O'Hare.