*KALAMAZOO, MI -- United Airlines has postponed the launch of its new direct service to Chicago from the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport, pushing the start date from April 30 to June 1*, according to airport officials.

The original plan was to begin service on April 30 with four flights daily to Chicago O'Hare International Airport and four flights back. That date is now off the table.

Why the delay? Temporary capacity constraints at O'Hare. The Federal Aviation Administration placed operational restrictions on both United Airlines and American Airlines due to congestion at the Windy City hub.

"Due to temporary capacity constraints in Chicago, the Federal Aviation Administration has placed operational restrictions affecting United Airlines and American Airlines. As a result, United has delayed its start of service to and from AZO to June 1," said airport director Craig Williams.

Williams added that the decision was made by the airlines and FAA; the airport itself had no input into the matter. The announcement about United returning to Kalamazoo was made in January, and once the service resumes, it will mark the end of a four-year absence in Kalamazoo. United last flew out of Kalamazoo on January 3, 2022, when the airline canceled its daily route amid widespread cancellations across the country due to pandemic-related shortages.

What about passengers? United Airlines is working with passengers who have already booked flights to provide alternative options or refunds, according to the announcement. Tickets for the flights went on sale in late January, so some travelers are already in the mix.

Current service at AZO

The Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport currently has two airlines operating out of the facility:

  • American Airlines flies two or three flights daily to Chicago, depending on the day
  • Delta flies daily to Detroit

The addition of United once the service starts will increase the total number of flights to Chicago to six or seven per day.

Optimism remains

Despite the postponement, airport officials said they remain optimistic about the new service and believe it will bring expanded travel opportunities and long-term benefits to the community.

The airport had announced in January that United would start flying four times per day to Chicago. That timeline has now been pushed to June 1.

Sources:

  • https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/2026/04/united-airlines-delays-start-of-service-at-kalamazoo-airport.html
  • https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/kzoo-bc/kalamazoo/launch-of-united-airlines-at-kalamazoo-battle-creek-airport-delayed-to-june
  • https://wlkm.com/2026/04/delay-for-return-of-azo-to-chicago-flights/