At a Glance
- 565 flights delayed at LAX today, including 259 departures and 307 arrivals.
- FAA cut LAX operations to 48 flights per hour, down from 133-176.
- 38 flights canceled, 22 departures and 16 arrivals.
Why it matters: Travelers and airlines face major schedule disruptions amid staffing shortages and a federal shutdown.
A ground delay at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Saturday left hundreds of flights scrambling to adjust, as the FAA blamed staffing shortages for the disruption that began as a ground stop at 6:50 p.m. and was later changed to a ground delay lasting until 11:59 p.m. The result: 565 delays, 38 cancellations, and a sharp drop in hourly operations.
FAA Ground Delay Details
The FAA issued a ground stop at 6:50 p.m., which was quickly upgraded to a ground delay that ran until 11:59 p.m. The delay was triggered by staffing issues that impacted hundreds of flights. Airlines warned that flight disruptions could persist even after the federal government shutdown ends as Thanksgiving approaches.
Impact on Flights
During the delay, LAX operated at a maximum of 48 flights per hour, far below the normal range of 133-176. By 10:15 p.m., the airport had recorded 565 delays-259 departures and 307 arrivals-alongside 38 cancellations, split between 22 departures and 16 arrivals.
| Metric | Count |
|---|---|
| Total Delays | 565 |
| Departures Delayed | 259 |
| Arrivals Delayed | 307 |
| Total Cancellations | 38 |
| Departures Canceled | 22 |
| Arrivals Canceled | 16 |
These numbers reflect the FAA’s broader strategy to cut flights by 10 % at 40 major airports nationwide, including LAX, as part of a response to staffing shortages and the ongoing federal shutdown.
Key Takeaways
- LAX operations dropped to 48 flights per hour, a drastic cut from the usual 133-176.
- 565 flights were delayed, with 38 cancellations across departures and arrivals.
- The FAA’s staffing-driven delay may continue as the holiday season approaches.
Travelers should check flight status before heading to LAX, and airlines may continue to face disruptions as the holiday season approaches.
