CHICAGO – The Federal Aviation Administration reports that arrivals and departures at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport are being delayed because of issues with air traffic control centres’ phone lines.

FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory said Monday that problems with several lines between the Chicago Terminal Radar Approach Control facility in Elgin and the FAA’s adjoining en route centres caused the delays.

Flights were initially delayed at both O’Hare and Midway International. But by late evening, only O’Hare was experiencing delays.

Monday’s problems come after an intentionally set fire Sept. 27 damaged communications equipment at an Aurora control centre, causing more than 2,000 cancelled flights.

The FAA says the replacement equipment for that facility continues to arrive for installation and testing. The control centre is expected to be fully operational by next week.