Operations at airports across the Bay Area have returned to normal following the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) decision to lift flight reductions that were imposed due to air traffic controller fatigue. The FAA announced on Sunday, November 12, 2023, that it would end a previous mandate requiring a ten percent reduction in air traffic, effective Monday morning at 06:00.
The FAA’s announcement came after a safety review showed a “steady decline of staffing-trigger events in air traffic control facilities.” The reductions began on November 7, affecting approximately 40 high-traffic airports nationwide, including San Francisco International Airport and Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport. As the situation escalated, San Jose Mineta International Airport also experienced cancellations as incoming flights were impacted by the restrictions.
At SFO, operations were gradually returning to normal. Doug Yakel, a spokesperson for the airport, reported that by Monday afternoon, only three cancellations had occurred, a number he described as “very typical, especially on a rainy day.” The airport also recorded 145 delays, affecting around twelve percent of flights, which Yakel attributed primarily to weather conditions. Delays averaged approximately 16 minutes.
At OAK, operations were reported to be smooth with no flight cancellations on either Sunday or Monday. Kaley Skantz, the public information officer for the airport, noted that there were “very few delays to report.” Meanwhile, at SJC, there were also no cancellations on Monday, according to data from the flight-tracking website FlightAware. Julie Jarratt, public information manager for SJC, expressed relief that operations had returned to full capacity and thanked federal partners for their support during the disruption.
In comparison, during the first day of flight reductions, SFO experienced 90 canceled flights while OAK saw around a dozen cancellations. Airlines confirmed the resumption of normal operations on Monday, reassuring travelers that they could expect smooth travel during the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
Chris Perry, spokesperson for Southwest Airlines, stated that the airline operated a full schedule on Monday. “We look forward to taking our customers where they want to go for the holidays,” he remarked. Similarly, Erik Snell, chief customer experience officer for Delta, assured travelers that the airline was ready for holiday travel, emphasizing their commitment to delivering reliable service.
United Airlines also confirmed the return to full flight capacity, with CEO Scott Kirby expressing gratitude to customers for their patience during the recent operational challenges.
The flight reductions were necessitated by air traffic controller fatigue during a prolonged government shutdown, which lasted a record 43 days. Many air traffic controllers worked unpaid, often taking on additional jobs to cope with financial pressures. Staffing shortages led to increased delays as controllers called in sick.
The government shutdown ended last week when President Donald Trump signed a funding bill. In a statement, Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy commended the FAA’s safety team for maintaining secure skies during the shutdown and emphasized the importance of returning to normal operations. Duffy also reiterated the need for ongoing efforts to recruit more air traffic controllers and improve the nation’s air traffic control system.
With air travel back to full capacity, airports and airlines across the Bay Area are poised to handle the holiday rush, ensuring that travelers can reach their destinations safely and efficiently.
