FAA Reduces SFO Arrival Capacity

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is implementing a reduction in arrival capacity at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). This change is attributed to ongoing runway construction and the implementation of new safety measures, leading to expectations of increased flight delays.

Impact on Arrival Rates

The FAA will lower the maximum arrival rate at SFO from 54 flights per hour to 36. This reduction is a result of two separate factors: a major runway project and the new safety protocols, each decreasing capacity by nine flights per hour.

Increased Delay Estimates

San Francisco International Airport officials anticipate that approximately 25% of arriving flights will experience delays of at least 30 minutes. This is an increase from a previous estimate of around 15%.

Runway Construction and Safety Measures

The airport’s runway repaving project will take approximately six months, during which time its two north-south runways will be out of service. In addition to the construction, the FAA is prohibiting side-by-side approaches to the airport’s parallel east-west runways, even in clear weather.

Staggered Approach Protocol

Instead of side-by-side approaches, the FAA is requiring “staggered approaches,” where one aircraft is offset from the aircraft on the parallel runway. This change is intended to enhance safety and ensure adequate aircraft separation.

Long-Term Restrictions and Airline Response

The FAA does not plan to lift these restrictions once the runway repaving is completed. United Airlines, which handles about half of SFO’s passenger traffic, has acknowledged that the construction may cause flight delays. Alaska Airlines, the airport’s second-largest carrier with roughly 10% of passenger traffic, is also preparing for potential disruptions.

FAA Safety Review

The FAA stated that the change followed a routine review revealing that the previous approach methods did not meet aircraft separation standards. The agency is actively exploring ways to safely increase arrival rates while mitigating risks related to visual separation.

Broader Aviation Safety Efforts

These changes are part of a broader effort by the FAA to tighten aviation safety rules. Earlier this month, the agency announced stricter helicopter safety measures and a suspension of visual separation between airplanes and helicopters near major airports.

Recent Incidents Prompt Action

The FAA’s actions follow a January 2025 mid-air collision between an American Airlines regional jet and an Army helicopter, resulting in 67 fatalities. Two recent incidents, including a near miss involving an American Airlines flight and a police helicopter near San Antonio airport, also contributed to the agency’s decision.