The Federal Aviation Administration lifted a short‑term halt on selected flights arriving at Los Angeles International Airport on Monday morning, September 14, 2026, ending a restriction that had been placed because of staffing shortages at the Southern California Terminal Radar Approach Control (SCT).
The pause had applied to a subset of inbound aircraft while SCT dealt with limited personnel available to manage the busy airspace. The temporary measure was introduced to ensure safety while the control center addressed the shortfall.
SCT is responsible for directing air traffic for the majority of airports throughout Southern California. Its jurisdiction stretches from the area north of Burbank all the way to the United States‑Mexico border, encompassing one of the nation’s most heavily used aviation corridors.
With the FAA’s decision, LAX resumed its regular arrival schedule, allowing airlines to land as planned and reducing delays for passengers who had been affected by the earlier hold. The restoration of full operations is expected to improve on‑time performance for flights entering the airport.
The removal of the pause restores full capacity to a key hub in the national air‑travel network, helping to prevent congestion that could have spilled over into the broader Southern California airspace.
The FAA said it will keep monitoring staffing levels and operational conditions at SCT to ensure continued safety and efficiency in the region’s air traffic system.