Associated Press - November 25, 2009 4:34 PM ET

CHICAGO (AP) - Aviation officials say traffic appears down slightly at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport compared to last year. The city's other major airport, Midway, may see an increase in holiday use.

Chicago Aviation Department spokeswoman Karen Pride says the airlines estimate 32,000 fewer people will pass through O'Hare on Wednesday. That's a decline to 173,000 passengers this year compared to 205,000 the day before Thanksgiving 2008.

At Midway, traffic is projected to increase to 67,000 from 60,000 one year ago.

Pride cites the economic downturn and service cuts by national carriers as possible explanations for O'Hare's apparent decline in use.

Operations at O'Hare seemed to be running smoothly Wednesday with only a few flight delays listed on departure boards.

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