The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily halted some incoming flights at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Diego Airport on the morning of September 16, 2026. This action was prompted by staffing shortages at Southern California Terminal Radar Approach Control (SCT).
Southern California TRACON Airspace Coverage
Southern California TRACON, based in San Diego, is responsible for managing one of the busiest airspaces in the United States. Its coverage extends from roughly 20 miles north of Burbank to the U.S.-Mexico border and spans westward from the San Bernardino area to Santa Catalina Island. This airspace includes several major airports, including LAX and San Diego.
Flight Impact and Passenger Advisory
The
ground stops affected some arriving flights, which triggered traffic management programs that potentially delayed departing flights at both LAX and San Diego. Passengers on flights scheduled to depart from these airports experienced possible delays. The FAA advised travelers to verify their flight status directly with their airline.
The FAA stated, “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.” Despite these measures, the agency confirmed that operational conditions at LAX remained normal.
According to the FAA, “Operations are normal at Los Angeles
International Airport (LAX). The FAA temporarily paused some flights into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) due to staffing constraints at Southern California Terminal Radar Approach Control (SCT). You can find real-time airport information at www.fly.faa.gov.”
This ground stop marks at least the fourth recent staffing-related disruption within Southern California TRACON that has impacted flight operations at LAX.
