The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily halted some arriving flights at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Diego International Airport on the morning of September 17, 2026. The pause in arrivals was attributed to staffing shortages at Southern California Terminal Radar Approach Control (SCT), according to FAA statements.
Southern California TRACON Airspace and Role
Southern California TRACON (SCT) oversees air traffic for major airports across the region, covering airspace stretching from approximately 20 miles north of Burbank down to the U.S.-Mexico border and extending from the San Bernardino area westward to Santa Catalina Island. It manages one of the busiest airspaces in the United States,
including LAX and San Diego International Airport.
Flight Delays and FAA Advisories on September 17, 2026
The ground stop delayed select arriving flights at LAX and San Diego airports and subsequently affected departing flight schedules. The FAA advised travelers that due to the traffic management program, which was delaying some arrivals, flight departures may also be impacted. Passengers were directed to check with their respective airlines and consult real-time airport information at www.fly.faa.gov.
In an official statement, the FAA said, “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).”
This ground stop is at least the fourth staffing-related operational disruption recently documented for Southern California airports affecting LAX, highlighting ongoing challenges within SCT’s air traffic control operations.
