San Francisco Airport Chaos: Hundreds of Flights Delayed by Winds and Terminal Closure

Hundreds of passengers faced major disruptions at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on Friday as strong winds and operational issues led to widespread flight delays and cancellations. The disruption came during a busy travel period, adding to the frustration of travelers heading out for the holiday season.

According to flight-tracking website FlightAware, at least 432 flights were delayed, with the majority affecting arriving aircraft. In addition, 26 flights were canceled outright, causing significant schedule changes for passengers across multiple airlines.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that adverse weather conditions, particularly high winds, were the primary cause of the delays. Arriving flights were reportedly facing average delays of one hour and 44 minutes, as air traffic flow was slowed for safety reasons.

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Compounding the situation, the departures lobby at Terminal 1 was temporarily closed for more than an hour on Friday morning. Airport officials cited “police activity” as the reason for the closure, which began around 8:00 a.m. local time and ended at approximately 10:45 a.m.

Local media reported that the terminal was evacuated after San Francisco police discovered a suspicious package. While no further details were released, the incident prompted heightened security measures and added to congestion inside the airport.

Airport authorities urged travelers to arrive early and consider alternative drop-off points, including the International Terminal, to avoid heavy roadway congestion. Passengers without checked baggage were advised to use less crowded security checkpoints, as walkways inside the airport allow access to all gates despite terminal congestion.

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