SFO flights face delays as FAA cuts arrivals during runway project

San Francisco Chronicle • March 31, 2026 • business

Key Points:

The FAA has imposed new safety restrictions on landings at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) amid a major six-month runway repaving project, reducing the airport’s maximum arrival rate from 54 to 36 flights per hour.
Runway 1 Right was closed for upgrades including repaving, taxiway improvements, and lighting enhancements, causing SFO to already operate at a reduced arrival rate of about 45 flights per hour before the FAA restrictions.
The FAA's new approach procedures prohibit certain side-by-side landings due to the airport’s closely spaced parallel runways and congested airspace, and these restrictions will remain even after construction finishes.
SFO officials expect flight delays to increase, with about 25% of arriving flights potentially delayed by at least 30 minutes, up from an initial forecast of 15%, and are working with the FAA to improve arrival rates.
The FAA cited recent safety incidents, including a near miss near San Antonio and a fatal midair collision in January 2025, as factors motivating the new safety measures at SFO.

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