ZAU Capping & Tunneling Plan

ZAU may employ tunneling/capping procedures during significant WX events and some high volume situations. Usually it is not used unless there are operational advantages for facilities and/or users of the NAS.

Capping initiatives are considered for:

• Tactical situations when ORD, MDW, and MKE arrivals and departures deviate
• ORD, MDW, and MKE departures are bound for destinations within first tier centers.
• When military airspace requires it (WIANG A/B/C, CAP and refuel for VIP, etc.).
• Capping is generally not used in conjunction with SWAP routes.
• Support of first tier volume situations.
• Mitigation of MIT restrictions.

Tunneling initiatives are considered for:

• Tactical situations when ORD, MDW, and MKE arrivals and departures deviate
• When military airspace requires it.
• When needed for MDW and ORD arrivals (usually associated with WX and/or when playbooks are in use)
• Specific for MDW arrivals to get and stay below ORD arrivals due to arrival delivery requirements.
• Volume with regard to altitude structure.