(SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA) The Federal Aviation Administration lifted a temporary ground delay at San Diego International on Tuesday after morning low visibility forced airlines to hold departures. the FAA action on October 21, 2025 slowed outbound flights during the earliest banks, affecting more than 55 departures, before conditions improved and operations eased.
Airport officials had already prepared for a constrained day because of airfield construction, which reduced capacity and made the system more sensitive to poor weather.
Why the ground delay was used
According to the FAA, the ground delay was a short-term safety step tied to the morning marine layer and fog that cut visibility below normal thresholds for takeoffs and landings.
- When visibility drops, air traffic controllers space aircraft further apart and limit movements.
- That spacing lowers the number of flights the airport can handle per hour.
- The impact was amplified at San Diego International because the ongoing construction had already trimmed the airport’s arrival flow.
When runway acceptance rates are reduced, even modest weather can require metering of departures to keep operations safe and stable.
Arrival acceptance rates and construction impact
By midday Tuesday the airport was operating at a reduced arrival acceptance rate of 24 aircraft per hour as runway configurations shifted to support construction work.
- This rate is lower than on clear, non-construction days.
- The combination of construction and the morning fog created a smaller margin to absorb disruption.
- The ground delay was lifted later Tuesday as visibility improved, and airlines worked to absorb the morning backlog through the afternoon.
Travel impacts and operational response
The travel impact in San Diego centered on outbound flights, especially those scheduled during the thickest fog. Key operational and passenger effects included:
- Longer waits at gates while airlines adjusted push times.
- Crews refiling flight plans and accepting new release times.
- Prioritization of flights with large connection banks downstream.
- Gate agents rebooking some passengers who faced missed connections.
Once the marine layer lifted, movements picked up, though some knock-on delays continued as aircraft and crews returned to planned rotations.
National context
The San Diego event was part of a broader weather picture affecting several major airports the same day. Boston Logan and Seattle-Tacoma also faced potential flow restrictions tied to changing conditions, underscoring how fast fall weather can ripple through the national network.
For official, real-time advisories, travelers and industry users can check the FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center:
https://www.fly.faa.gov/adv/advAdvisories.jsp
How construction made the situation worse
Airport construction added complexity in San Diego:
- Work on airfield areas required different runway and taxi patterns during parts of the day.
- These altered patterns tend to lower arrival rates and reduce operational flexibility.
- When paired with a low ceiling or fog, the margin to absorb disruptions becomes thin.
That is why even a modest period of low visibility can lead to a wider schedule shuffle at San Diego International under current conditions.
Comparison to the September 18, 2025 emergency
This incident is separate from the September 18, 2025 emergency that shut down the runway after a Cessna experienced landing gear problems and became stuck.
- The September event caused a complete ground stop and led to over 100 delays and cancellations.
- The runway did not reopen until around 9:30 PM.
- Tuesday’s weather-related ground delay was milder by comparison, targeted to the morning window and lifted as conditions improved.
Who felt the effects
Travelers — including families, students, business travelers, and mixed-status households heading to consular appointments or immigration interviews — can be particularly affected by tight connections.
- Even short ground delays can lead to missed onward flights or late arrivals.
- These disruptions add stress for those with same-day legal or consular commitments.
Local businesses that rely on same-day shipments and visiting clients also felt the morning slowdown. One logistics manager reported that a missed morning departure pushed a critical part to a later flight, creating a minor production delay.
Safety and procedures
The FAA did not report unique safety issues beyond the low visibility that triggered the program.
- Controllers rely on instrument procedures when ceilings drop.
- Pilots follow those procedures until visibility returns.
- San Diego’s single-runway layout and nearby terrain require careful sequencing, and construction limits further reduce flexibility.
Information flow and traveler guidance
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, short-lived FAA ground delays tied to weather are becoming more visible to travelers because airlines publish real-time updates in their apps and push alerts to phones.
- That transparency helps travelers see what’s happening, but it can also raise anxiety when estimated times change in small increments.
- The key is to focus on the most current gate information and official FAA advisories, and avoid making major changes based on early, uncertain estimates.
Practical steps for travelers passing through San Diego International during construction and seasonal fog:
- Book earlier flights when possible; morning banks have more options to rebook later in the day.
- Leave extra time for connections, especially on separate tickets or international itineraries.
- Sign up for airline text or app alerts, and keep contact details updated on the reservation.
- If you must make a legal or immigration appointment the same day, consider arriving the day before.
- Keep medication, documents, and a change of clothes in a carry-on in case of unexpected holds.
Aftermath and what to expect
While most passengers moved on by late Tuesday, crews and airlines continued to reset schedules into the evening.
- Lighter loads later in the week and the expected end of the current construction phase should ease some pressure.
- Still, during periods of low visibility, the airport may again see temporary caps on arrivals and brief ground delay programs to keep spacing safe.
The FAA lifted Tuesday’s restrictions once visibility improved and demand matched the reduced arrival rate. Airlines then worked to clear the morning backlog and return aircraft to scheduled rotations.
With fall and winter ahead, the mix of fog and construction may produce more days like this — short, targeted, and safety-first — at San Diego International.
This Article in a Nutshell
On October 21, 2025, morning fog and a marine layer prompted the FAA to impose a temporary ground delay at San Diego International, affecting more than 55 outbound flights. The airport was already operating with reduced capacity because of airfield construction, which lowered arrival acceptance rates to 24 aircraft per hour and made the system more vulnerable to weather disruptions. Airlines adjusted operations—delaying push times, refiling flight plans, and rebooking passengers with missed connections—while prioritizing flights with major downstream connection banks. The ground delay was lifted once visibility improved, and carriers worked through backlogs. Officials advise travelers to monitor FAA advisories and airline alerts during seasonal fog and construction periods.
