As reductions in flight traffic mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration took effect Friday morning — prompted by the government shutdown, now into its sixth week — travelers arriving at Bay Area airports faced significant flight delays and a ground stop.
The FAA announced Wednesday that it would reduce air traffic by 10% at 40 major aviation hubs across the country to maintain safety as air traffic controllers show signs of strain, including at San Francisco International Airport and Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport.
SFO was put into a ground stop shortly before 4 a.m. due to staffing, according to an advisory issued by the FAA. As of 4 a.m., the airport was experiencing average ground delays of one hour and six minutes, according to a second FAA advisory.
Air traffic controllers have been working unpaid since the shutdown began Oct. 1, and most have been on duty six days a week while putting in mandatory overtime. With some calling out of work due to frustration, taking second jobs or not having money for child care or gas, staffing shortages during some shifts have led to flight delays at a number of U.S. airports.
The traffic reduction will roll out over the course of several days, with Friday’s traffic expected to be reduced by about 4%. The cuts will increase to 5% Saturday, 6% Sunday and to the final 10% cut next week.
Spokespeople for SFO and OAK had not received formal notifications of whether the airports would be impacted Wednesday, but a list distributed to airlines and obtained by the Associated Press indicated that both would see flight reductions. San Jose Mineta International Airport was not on the list, and a spokesperson said Thursday the airport would continue operations as usual.
Several airlines — including Delta, America and Southwest — indicated Thursday that the majority of travelers would not be impacted by the flight reductions.
Air traffic controllers have gone unpaid for more than a month during the government shutdown, with many working mandatory overtime shifts as air control towers see staffing shortages.
This is a developing report. Check back for updates.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.