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Hundreds of flights delayed at San Diego airport after weather balloon and drone spotted
San Diego Union-Tribune • • business
Key Points:
- Hundreds of flights at San Diego International Airport were delayed Friday afternoon after a drone and a weather balloon were spotted near the airport, prompting safety concerns.
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) temporarily halted arrivals and departures around 2 p.m., causing delays of up to two hours during the busy Labor Day travel period.
- By 4:30 p.m., the FAA declared an all-clear and resumed normal airport operations, but over 400 flights had already been delayed, according to FlightAware.
- The FAA requires drone operators to obtain airspace authorization before flying near airports and advises avoiding such areas due to the risk drones pose to manned aircraft.
- San Diego’s Airfield Operations, in coordination with the FAA, TSA, and local law enforcement, continues to monitor the situation, with TSA investigating the drone activity.
