Royals fans grounded at KCI

Security stands in front of the air traffic control facility in Aurora, Ill., on Friday. All flights in and out of Chicago's two airports were halted Friday after a fire at the air traffic control facility sent delays and cancellations rippling through the U.S. air travel network. Authorities said the blaze was intentionally set by a contract employee. Scott Sanders AP

Kansas City Royals fans who woke up this morning with a sudden urge to fly to Chicago may have to consider other options.

An early-morning fire at a Chicago area air-traffic radar facility prompted flight cancellations at airports across the country, including Kansas City International.

A handful of flights to O’Hare and Midway airports in Chicago had been canceled by mid-morning, said Joe McBride of the city’s aviation department. McBride estimated that the cancellations had affected hundreds of passengers, presumably some of them fans of the Royals, who could clinch a playoff spot with a victory Friday night against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.

“I have seen some photos of people in Royals jerseys at the airport,” said McBride. “So, suffice it to say, we have some affected Royals fans.”

While several early morning flights from KCI to Chicago had been canceled, other flights scheduled for later Friday still were being listed as being on time. But McBride urged anyone holding tickets for those flights to contact their carriers or to check the flykci.com web site.

Chicago represents the largest market for Kansas City International, McBride said, with 27 departures on several airlines.

Brian Burnes, bburnes@kcstar.com

This story was originally published September 26, 2014 at 11:00 AM.

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