On Wednesday evening, travelers at San Diego International Airport faced an unexpected halt when the only runway was shut down for several hours. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the problem started just after 6:30 p.m. when a private aircraft attempted to take off but ran into trouble with its landing gear.
The plane stopped short on the runway, which initially forced airport officials to close down operations to get the situation under control. Thankfully, none of the passengers on board were injured. However, this affected the itinerary of hundreds of travelers.
How long was San Diego airport closed
The runway closure lasted for nearly three hours. Airport officials confirmed that the runway reopened just after 9:20 p.m. Even though operations resumed, the delays and cancellations that had piled up during the stoppage continued to affect passengers well into the night.
During this period, all inbound flights had to be diverted to other airports, including Los Angeles International (LAX) and John Wayne Airport in Orange County. Departures from San Diego were also grounded, creating long waits and plenty of frustration for passengers.
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How did the closure affect flights and passengers
For passengers, the experience was anything but smooth. Many travelers had to scramble for alternative flights, while others found themselves stuck in San Diego without a clear plan.
Passengers had anything but a smooth experience. Many looked for other flights, while others found themselves stranded in San Diego with no clue on the next step to take. Here is a breakdown of what happened:
- Flights were canceled and rerouted to other airports.
- The airport’s arrivals and departures list temporarily went offline, showing a message that updates were “not currently available.”
- Travelers were encouraged to check with their airlines before returning to the airport.
Inside the terminal, some passengers described the situation as chaotic. “We got to the airport and they said there was a small plane that crashed on the airport and hundreds of flights got diverted to other airports. Our flight got canceled, but luckily, the United person helped us to catch a flight for tomorrow from LAX, but we have to find a ride now to go to LAX,” passenger Essa Arzo shared.
Another passenger, Keith St. Peter, explained how the disruption even affected his hotel stay: “When I got back to the hotel, which is not, not far from the airport, um, they said they had sold out. So in the time that I had rebooked to the time I got to the airport, which was probably, you know, 30 minutes, 45 minutes, they had booked up again.”
What should travelers do during unexpected airport closures
This incident shows the importance of having backup options when flying. While these incidents are rare, it always pays to be prepared so that such stressful situations are easier to bear. Some steps that can help include:
- Always check the status of your flight on your airline’s Web site or app before leaving home for the trip to the airport.
- Put your snacks, charger, and medicines in your carry-on in case there is long delays.
- If a cancellation knocks your flight out, contact the airline immediately for a possible rebooking.
- Consider travel insurance for changes or expense in hotels or alternative travel arrangements.
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Was anyone injured during the san diego airport closure
The good news is that no injuries were reported. The private aircraft that caused the incident had mechanical difficulties but did not result in a crash or fire. This made it easier for airport officials to handle the situation and safely reopen the runway later in the evening.
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