Ground stop lifted after staffing shortage disrupts LAX–Oakland flights: FAA

A staffing shortage in Southern California’s airspace triggered a ground stop affecting Los Angeles International Airport flights on Sunday morning, the FAA said.

The restriction applies to flights departing from airspace managed by the Los Angeles and Oakland air traffic control centers that are scheduled to arrive at LAX, according to an FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center advisory. The order went into effect around 8:27 a.m. and was expected to run through 10 a.m., with a medium chance of extension.

Los Angeles World Airports confirmed a ground stoppage began around 8:45 a.m. and said passengers should check with their airlines for delays or cancellations. Airport officials said they could not immediately confirm whether staffing issues were the cause. 

Oakland International Airport was also affected, LAWA said at the time.

The FAA reported more than 900 total delay minutes, with some flights waiting up to 87 minutes and average delays around 49 minutes.

An LAX spokesperson later confirmed the stoppage was lifted around 10:30 a.m. and said it was caused by a staffing issue in Oakland.

Only flights between Los Angeles and Oakland were affected, and no other airports were impacted, officials said.

Lauren Lewis and Sofia Pop Perez contributed to this report.