The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented a ground stop on September 16, 2026, that delayed flights inbound to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Diego Airport due to staffing shortfalls at Southern California Terminal Radar Approach Control (SCT).
This ground stop affected arriving flights at both airports and had the potential to disrupt departing flight schedules. The FAA advised travelers to verify their flight status directly with airlines. “Because a traffic management program is delaying some arriving flights, departing flight schedules may be affected. Check with your airline to determine if your flight is affected,” the FAA stated.
Southern California TRACON’s Coverage and Role
Southern
California TRACON (SCT), based in San Diego, oversees a densely trafficked airspace spanning from approximately 20 miles north of Burbank down to the U.S.-Mexico border, and from the San Bernardino region westward to Santa Catalina Island. It manages air traffic for most airports in the Southern California area, handling one of the busiest airspaces nationwide.
FAA Statements and Operational Status
Despite the ground stop, the FAA reported that “operations are normal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).” The agency confirmed the temporary pause of some flights into LAX was specifically due to SCT staffing limitations. The FAA directed travelers to access real-time airport information at
www.fly.faa.gov.
This ground stop on September 16 marked at least the fourth recent Southern California staffing-related disruption impacting LAX operations within a short period, illustrating ongoing challenges in regional air traffic control staffing.
