FAA lifts LAX-OAK ground stop after staffing shortages amid shutdown

(LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA) The Federal Aviation Administration lifted a temporary ground stop on October 26, 2025, restoring departures for Los Angeles–Oakland flights after a staffing shortage at a Southern California air traffic facility forced a pause earlier in the morning. The stop began between 8:30–8:45 a.m. Pacific Time and was lifted by 10:30 a.m., according to the FAA. While the immediate restriction ended, ripple effects continued through Monday, October 27, with delays still affecting major airports as the federal government shutdown strains air traffic control staffing nationwide.

The pause applied to flights between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Oakland International Airport (OAK) and quickly spread into broader schedule disruptions. Airlines reported delays ranging from about 15 minutes to 1 hour and 40 minutes, with some departures pushed back up to 87 minutes, as crews repositioned aircraft and traffic managers reset flows. The FAA confirmed the staffing shortage was tied to air traffic controllers working without pay after the shutdown began on October 1, 2025.

What happened and why it matters

• The FAA issued a temporary ground stop for Oakland departures bound for LAX around 8:30–8:45 a.m. PT on Sunday.
• The agency lifted the stop by 10:30 a.m. PT, but delays persisted as schedules recovered.
• The cause was an acute staffing shortage at a Southern California air traffic control facility, with many controllers calling in sick or unable to report due to the shutdown.
• Impacts spread beyond the corridor, touching operations at San Francisco International (SFO) and Newark Liberty International (EWR) as the system absorbed backlogs and staffing gaps.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned that delays and cancellations may continue as about 13,000 air traffic controllers work without pay. Absentee rates at some facilities reached up to 50%, straining already thin rosters. On October 25, more than 5,400 flights were delayed across the United States, with Sunday’s ground stop adding to the stress. The FAA said recovery would take time as the system balances safety with demand.

For passengers on Los Angeles–Oakland flights, the quick lift of the ground stop avoided a full-day shutdown but did not eliminate longer-than-usual waits. Operational pauses, even short ones, force crews to stagger takeoffs and reroute traffic. That can cause aircraft and flight crews to be out of place later in the day, echoing into evening departures.

Ongoing disruptions and passenger guidance

As of October 27, the ground stop is lifted, but staffing issues persist. The FAA continues to issue traffic management initiatives to handle pressure points. Travelers should:

• Check airline apps and text alerts before leaving for the airport.
• Expect possible gate changes and rolling delays, especially during morning and late afternoon peaks.
• Build extra time for connections, even inside California.

The FAA’s real-time airport delay map and advisories are posted on the FAA National Airspace System Status page, which remains the primary source for official updates on ground stops and systemwide delays. Airlines are also waiving same-day change fees in some cases, especially when the delay crosses into missed-connection territory. Policies vary by carrier and fare class.

Special risks for immigrant travelers and time-sensitive appointments

For immigrant travelers and mixed-status families, these pauses carry specific risks. A delayed hop from Oakland to LAX can cause a missed connection to a long-haul flight for a consular appointment abroad, or a late arrival to a court hearing or biometrics appointment. While the FAA event is aviation-focused, the stakes are very human:

• If you’re flying to a consular interview abroad, consider moving to an earlier flight window or adding a buffer day.
• If you have a time-sensitive court date or biometrics appointment:
  • Carry printed notices, arrive early, and keep proof of airline delays.
  • Judges and agency staff may accept late arrivals with documentation, but that is not guaranteed.
• If you’re returning to the United States 🇺🇸 on a tight timeline for work authorization or parole conditions, consider paying for an earlier or nonstop flight when possible to reduce missed-connection risk.

VisaVerge.com reports that families planning travel for green card interviews, visa stamping, or advance parole reentry should build in extra cushion while staffing shortages persist. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, even short ground stops can compound quickly across hubs, so adding time on both ends of a journey reduces stress and protects key milestones.

Why ground stops are used and what they do

The broader shutdown context matters. Controllers, traffic managers, and technical staff keep the system safe through layered procedures. When pay stops, exhaustion and financial strain grow. The FAA’s safety protocols remain in force, so when staffing dips, the agency slows traffic rather than taking risks.

• A ground stop is a pause on departures into a constrained area to hold aircraft on the ground where they can taxi and park safely until spacing improves.
• The goal is to prevent airborne holding and overloading of arrival fixes, which would increase fuel burn and pilot workload.

Sunday’s pause between Los Angeles and Oakland followed this approach: stop departures, stabilize staffing and flow, then release traffic and meter it back in. But even a two-hour slow-down can bend the day’s schedule. Crews time out, aircraft miss rotation slots, and afternoon waves shift. That’s why the FAA cautions that the end of a ground stop does not mean instant normal operations.

Important: The FAA prioritizes safety. When staffing dips, expect conservative spacing and measured release of flights rather than immediate return to normal schedules.

Practical tips for travelers, students, and workers on visa statuses

For workers and students on DACA, F-1, H-1B, or other statuses, the practical steps are simple:

1. Book morning flights when possible; recovery windows are longer if delays hit.
2. Keep digital and paper copies of I-94 records, appointment notices, and employment letters in your carry-on.
3. If traveling for an immigration deadline, avoid the last available flight of the day.
4. Monitor the FAA’s status page and your airline’s alerts; do not rely on airport monitors alone.

Additional traveler preparedness tips:

• Keep chargers, snacks, and entertainment handy.
• Arrive earlier than usual and stay close to your gate for updates.
• Save documentation of airline delays in case you need to show proof for appointments or legal matters.

System fragility and outlook

Airlines serving the Los Angeles–Oakland corridor said they were working to re-accommodate passengers and limit knock-on effects. At SFO and EWR, airlines reported rolling delays as staffing shortages in one region sent pressure into others. Airport officials reiterated that passengers should arrive early, clear security, and stay close to their gates for updates.

While there is no formal timeline for when staffing levels will normalize, the FAA and the Department of Transportation signaled that safety remains the top priority. That means travelers should expect conservative spacing and measured release of flights when staffing dips.

Even with the ground stop lifted, the system is fragile. A single facility with a high absentee rate can force metering across a region. If the government shutdown continues, more days like Sunday are likely, with short, targeted holds to keep traffic safe. The best steps travelers can take are:

• Plan for slack in itineraries.
• Keep documents ready.
• Check official updates often.