San Francisco International Airport faced several ground stops ordered by the Federal Aviation Administration on November 9, 2026, disrupting flight operations throughout the morning. The first significant ground stop began shortly before 8 a.m. Pacific Time and was lifted by 9:15 a.m. Additional ground stops took place around 10:28 a.m. and just before noon. These measures held departing flights bound for San Francisco at their origin airports and included ground delay programs for arrivals.
Delays and Cancellations Due to FAA Restrictions
By approximately 10:30 a.m., a total of 187 flights had been delayed with three cancellations recorded. Some arriving flights experienced average delays reaching about 63 minutes.
Flight holds before departure applied to aircraft at other U.S. airports scheduled to fly to San Francisco. The delays reflected the FAA’s efforts to manage restricted airport capacity under poor visibility conditions.
Weather Conditions Prompt FAA Restrictions
Dense fog and low cloud ceilings caused reduced visibility around the airport during the morning, limiting its operational capacity. Visibility dropped to approximately 0.13 miles near 8 a.m., according to the San Francisco Chronicle, while the National Weather Service issued a dense fog advisory warning visibility as low as a quarter mile along the San Francisco Bay shoreline. These conditions required increased spacing between aircraft and the use
of low-visibility procedures, reducing the number of flights that could safely operate.
Impact on Passengers and Flight Operations
The FAA ground stops extended delays to passengers at other airports where flights to San Francisco were held on the ground. Although the weather was clear elsewhere, the FAA controlled departures to prevent airspace congestion at the destination airport. Travelers connecting through San Francisco faced the risk of extended delays as disrupted arrivals affected downstream flight schedules.
FAA Ground Stops as Air Traffic Management Tools
Ground stops are temporary traffic management actions implemented by the FAA to regulate incoming flight volumes when airport capacity is reduced. These stops do not indicate a closure of San Francisco
International Airport itself but are intended to maintain safe operations during periods of limited visibility and low cloud ceilings. The FAA adjusted ground delay programs dynamically throughout the morning as weather conditions evolved on November 9.
