ALERT Ground stop for flights to San Diego International Airport
Published: December 21, 2024
Departures from several regions to San Diego-Lindbergh Field are currently halted due to heavy fog, limiting visibility to just 1 mile. This situation has led to the diversion of all Southwest Airlines flights to either Phoenix or Las Vegas. Although the airport remains open, with some arrivals still occurring, takeoffs are restricted. By 9:25 AM, visibility was starting to improve, allowing some diverted flights to resume their journey to San Diego. As of the latest update, the fog has resulted in significant operational disruptions, with over 300 delayed flights and 56 cancellations reported.
From a transportation expert's perspective, this incident underscores the complexities and vulnerabilities of air travel to weather conditions, particularly in regions prone to fog. Airports need to have robust contingency plans in place to manage such scenarios effectively, ensuring passenger safety while minimizing the impact on operations. Advanced weather prediction technologies and real-time data sharing among airlines can enhance situational awareness and responsiveness in similar situations.