Flight cancellations kick in at LAX, ONT as airports start government-decreed cuts

Flight Cancellations Begin at Major California Airports

Airlines have alerted passengers to potential disruptions as government-mandated flight cutbacks take effect. Flight delays and cancellations started this morning at Los Angeles (LAX), Ontario (ONT), and San Diego international airports due to a 10% reduction in flight capacity at numerous key airports nationwide, imposed by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Nationwide Impact and Flight Reductions

FlightAware, a flight tracking website, reported nearly 700 scheduled flights were canceled on Friday, quadrupling Thursday’s cancellations and expected to increase further.

San Francisco Airport Faces Full Ground Stop

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) was placed under a complete ground stop just before 4 a.m. due to staff shortages. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has prohibited incoming flights to SFO on Friday morning.

“Due to staffing, departure traffic destined to San Francisco International Airport … will not be allowed to depart until at or after 8:45 a.m. PST,” an airport air traffic statement said.

The airport warned this restriction could also affect departing flights.

Average ground delays at SFO reached one hour and six minutes by 4 a.m., according to FAA advisories. Air-traffic controllers at SFO have been working without pay since the government shutdown began in October.

Ongoing Government Shutdown Concerns

There is currently no clear resolution to the federal shutdown, prolonging operational challenges for airlines and airport staff across the country.

“No end to government shutdown in sight,” reports emphasized about the persistent situation.

Author's summary: Government-mandated flight capacity cuts amid an ongoing shutdown are causing widespread delays and cancellations at California airports, severely impacting travel schedules.

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Orange County Register Orange County Register — 2025-11-07

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