SAN DIEGO — Starting at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, November 7, the FAA implemented a nationwide 10% reduction in flight operations at 40 high-volume airports, according to statements from the agency.
San Diego International Airport (SAN) is among the affected airports, with tracking systems already showing signs of disruption.
According to FlightAware, 36 flights had been canceled at SAN at the time of reporting, compared with 24 cancellations the previous day.
The reduction comes amid the federal government shutdown that began on October 1, 2025, which has resulted in staffing shortages among air traffic controllers and other aviation personnel. A Business Insider analysis reported that 818 flights nationwide had been canceled by early Friday, representing roughly 3% of scheduled flights.
San Diego Airport and its airline partners have advised travelers to be alert for potential delays, cancellations, or schedule changes due to the operational cutback and national conditions.
Experts note that while the airport typically performs well — with an on-time departure rate of about 86% in December 2023, above the national average of 83% — this extraordinary situation could affect normal operational levels.
Passengers are advised to:
- Check the status of their flights through their airline’s app or san.org
- Allow extra time for parking, security screening, and moving through the terminal.
- Pay attention to airline notifications regarding rebooking or schedule changes.
The situation is ongoing, and airport authorities have warned that public updates will be provided as the specific affected flights are confirmed.