San Francisco International Airport has limited simultaneous landings on its parallel east-west runways following a Federal Aviation Administration decision to suspend the practice for safety reasons. The FAA determined that existing visual separation procedures on the runways, spaced about 750 feet apart, no longer meet current aircraft separation standards after an internal review.
This permanent change requires staggered approaches even in clear weather, reducing the airport’s arrival capacity from 54 flights per hour to 36, a one-third cut. It coincides with a six-month repaving project on two north-south runways that began March 30 and will last until October 2, 2026. The $180 million project, with $92.1 million funded by the FAA, also includes taxiway improvements, upgraded lighting, and new striping.
SFO officials initially projected 15% of flights delayed due to construction alone, but with the FAA restrictions, up to 25% of arriving flights now face delays of at least 30 minutes, especially during peak hours like 9-10 a.m. and 9-10 p.m. The north-south closures account for nine of the 18 reduced hourly arrivals, with the rule change impacting the rest.
United Airlines and Alaska Airlines, major carriers at the 13th-busiest U.S. airport, anticipate significant effects. SFO spokesperson Doug Yakel said the airport is collaborating with the FAA to improve arrival rates. Travelers have already reported delays, including one passenger facing a six-hour wait and a missed connection to Los Angeles. FAA spokesperson Ian Gregor noted the measure prohibits side-by-side approaches when pilots visually confirm each other.