A staffing shortage in Southern California’s airspace forced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue a temporary ground stop for flights bound for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Sunday morning. The halt disrupted air traffic and led to significant flight delays across the region.
FAA Confirms Temporary Flight Halt
According to an FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center advisory, the restriction applied to flights departing from airspace managed by the Los Angeles and Oakland air traffic control centers that were scheduled to arrive at LAX.
The ground stop went into effect at approximately 8:27 a.m. and was expected to last until 10 a.m., with officials noting a “medium chance of extension.”
The FAA reported more than 900 total delay minutes, with some flights waiting up to 87 minutes, and average delays around 49 minutes.
LAX and Oakland Airports Impacted
Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) confirmed that a ground stoppage began around 8:45 a.m. and advised passengers to check with their airlines for any delays or cancellations. However, airport officials said they could not immediately verify whether staffing shortages were the direct cause.
LAWA also noted that Oakland International Airport experienced disruptions connected to the same staffing issue.
Staffing Shortage Blamed for Air Traffic Disruptions
The FAA later confirmed that the issue was due to a staffing shortage at an air traffic control facility in Southern California, which affected the management of inbound flights to LAX.
“The halt was attributed to a staffing shortage at an air traffic facility in Southern California,” the FAA said in a statement.
Federal Shutdown Adds to Staffing Strain
According to US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, ongoing challenges linked to the federal government shutdown have worsened staffing shortages among air traffic controllers.
Duffy warned of “increased flight delays and cancellations” as controllers continue to work without pay during the shutdown.
He added that there had been a rise in controllers calling in sick, citing financial hardship and high job stress. The FAA recorded 22 staffing triggers recently, highlighting ongoing workforce pressures.
Other Airports Facing Similar Issues
Similar staffing problems have led to disruptions at Newark Liberty International, Teterboro, and Southwest Florida International airports in recent days, the FAA said.
Travelers departing from or arriving at LAX are advised to check flight status updates and allow extra time at the airport as delays continue to ripple through the airspace system.
