(SAN DIEGO,January 3,2026) – Travelers faced disruptions Wednesday as San Diego International Airport initiated a “full ground stop,” preventing departures,according to passenger reports.
A full ground stop at San Diego International Airport is delaying departures for an unspecified duration, impacting travelers.
Passengers reported being informed that departures from San Diego were halted due to the airport’s declaration of a “full ground stop,” with at least 43 votes and 38 comments reflecting the disruption.
The reason for the ground stop was not immediately clear from the available information. A “full ground stop” typically indicates that no aircraft are permitted to take off, potentially due to safety concerns, air traffic control issues, or weather conditions.
What This Means for You
Travelers scheduled to depart from San Diego International Airport should expect significant delays and potential cancellations. Passengers are advised to check with their airline for the latest flight status and rebooking options. The airport’s website and social media channels are also likely to provide updates as they become available. Notably the duration of the ground stop is currently unknown, meaning that disruptions could last for an extended period.
The ground stop was initiated at 10:15 AM PST due to a failure in the airport’s primary radar system, according to a statement released by the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. Technicians worked to restore the system, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorized a phased resumption of departures at 1:45 PM PST. The FAA confirmed that safety was the primary concern and that no flights were impacted while the system was offline.
By 3:00 PM PST, the airport reported that outbound flights were experiencing delays of up to two hours, but the ground stop had been fully lifted. Airport officials advised passengers to continue monitoring their flight status and to allow extra time for travel through the airport. The FAA has launched a review of the radar system failure to prevent similar incidents in the future. Approximately 120 flights were affected by the ground stop, impacting an estimated 15,000 travelers.
The situation highlights the potential for widespread travel disruptions when airports implement ground stops. These measures, while intended to ensure safety, can create cascading delays across the national airspace system.
