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FAA: 2 weeks to reopen Chicago-area control center

CHICAGO (AP) — The Federal Aviation Administration says it will take about two weeks to fully reopen a Chicago-area control center where an act of sabotage brought the city’s two international airports to a halt last week.

The FAA said Sunday it hopes to return the facility to full service by Oct. 13.

Authorities say a contract employee started a fire Friday at regional control center in suburban Aurora and then attempted to commit suicide. More than 2,000 flights were canceled that day at O’Hare and Midway international airports, disrupting travel nationwide.

About 300 flights were canceled Monday at O’Hare. There were none at Midway, but delays were about 40 minutes.

The FAA said crews are working to install replacement equipment. Aurora’s air traffic controllers are at other FAA offices in the Midwest.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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