The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily halted some flights into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Diego International Airport on Monday morning, September 16, 2026. The ground stop resulted from staffing constraints at Southern California Terminal Radar Approach Control (SCT) in San Diego.
Southern California TRACON Airspace Coverage
Southern California TRACON manages air traffic over one of the nation’s busiest regions. Its controlled airspace stretches from roughly 20 miles north of Burbank southward to the U.S.-Mexico border, and extends westward from the San Bernardino area to Santa Catalina Island.
FAA Statements and Flight Impacts
The FAA stated, “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.” The agency further noted delays in arriving flights caused by the traffic management program may affect departing flight schedules. “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 said.
This ground stop represents at least the fourth recent staffing disruption impacting LAX air traffic operations in the past days, signifying ongoing challenges
for the busy Southern California TRACON airspace.
Travelers scheduled to depart from affected airports are advised to verify their flight status directly with their airlines due to potential delays stemming from arrival disruptions.
