With its 11,381-foot Runway 10R/28L out of commission for reconstruction, lighting, and drainage work through September 26, San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is experiencing traffic woes, with airlines tallying hundreds of delayed and canceled flights since the September 7 start of the project as a result.
Runway 10L/28R remains in operation with a target rate of 27 departures per hour, and air traffic control is continually monitoring the arrivals, departure queues, and other factors to raise or lower that total depending on demand, according to NBAA’s Air Traffic Services. The organization noted that operators throughout the U.S. and Canada should expect ground delays for aircraft heading to SFO. Alternative airports for business aviation in the area include Metropolitan Oakland International, Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International, Hayward Executive, and Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa.
The plan for business aviation operators who are unable to avoid using SFO during that period is to try and use 8,650-foot Runway 1R or 7,650-foot Runway 1L for departures as much as possible, said NBAA. Noise-abatement procedures will be suspended at 6 a.m. daily for departures from both SFO and nearby OAK through September 26 or the end of the project, whichever is sooner.