PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — Flights at Palm Springs International Airport began trickling back to normal on Saturday afternoon after a Federal Aviation Administration ground stop grounded all departures for several hours, disrupting travel during one of the busiest weekends of the year.
The ground stop, which affected departures from the airport throughout much of the afternoon, was lifted around 4 p.m. on Jan. 3, according to airport officials. The issue stemmed from an air traffic control problem impacting airspace across Southern California, not isolated to Palm Springs, and it coincided with the post-New Year's holiday rush and the second day of the Palm Springs International Film Festival, drawing crowds of travelers and film enthusiasts to the Coachella Valley.
By late afternoon, operations were slowly resuming, but passengers faced substantial delays as the airport and airlines worked to clear the backlog. As of around 3 p.m., flight tracking service FlightAware reported that 47 flights to or from Palm Springs International Airport, known as PSP, had been canceled, while another 38 were delayed. The airport's arrivals page indicated that some inbound flights were still touching down, though many arrived well behind schedule.
Airport spokesperson Jake Ingrassia confirmed the ground stop had been resolved but emphasized that the challenges extended beyond PSP. "The problems were not specific to Palm Springs and were affecting other Southern California airports," Ingrassia said in a statement. He added that the airport was collaborating closely with its airline partners and the FAA to manage the recovery.
Ingrassia did not provide details on the specific nature or cause of the air traffic control issue, which the FAA oversees nationwide. The Desert Sun, which first reported the story, reached out to the FAA for more information but had not received a response by press time. Such ground stops are rare but can occur due to a variety of factors, including technical glitches in radar systems, staffing shortages, or weather-related concerns, though no such specifics were disclosed in this case.
The timing of the disruption amplified its impact. January in Palm Springs is peak season for tourism, with the film festival attracting celebrities, filmmakers, and visitors from around the world. The event, now in its 36th year, kicked off on Jan. 2 and runs through Jan. 13, featuring red-carpet premieres, panel discussions, and screenings at venues across the desert city. Travelers heading to or from the festival, along with those escaping the winter chill elsewhere, found themselves stranded or rerouted at a time when demand for flights is already high.
One passenger, speaking on condition of anonymity while waiting at the airport, described the scene as chaotic. "We were about to board when everything just stopped," the traveler said. "No one knew what was going on at first, and then the cancellations started piling up." Airlines such as American, Delta, and Southwest, which operate frequent routes to PSP, issued advisories urging passengers to check their status directly through their apps or websites.
FlightAware data showed the ripple effects extending beyond Palm Springs. Airports in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Ontario also reported delays in the afternoon, underscoring the regional scope of the air traffic control problem. The FAA has faced scrutiny in recent years over staffing levels and aging infrastructure, with congressional hearings highlighting vulnerabilities in the national airspace system. In 2023 alone, the agency grounded flights nationwide multiple times due to computer outages, leading to thousands of cancellations.
Despite the resumption of flights, the airport warned of ongoing disruptions into the evening. "PSP continues to work closely with airline partners and the FAA, which is managing the situation," Ingrassia wrote in his statement. "Travelers should contact their airline directly for the latest flight information. PSP will share additional updates as needed." This advice echoed recommendations from the FAA's own website, which advises passengers to monitor updates through official channels during such incidents.
The incident at PSP is part of a broader pattern of air travel challenges in early 2025. Following the holiday season, airlines have grappled with high demand, winter weather in other parts of the country, and lingering effects from supply chain issues affecting aircraft maintenance. In December 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation reported over 2,000 flight cancellations nationwide due to weather and operational issues, setting the stage for a tense start to the new year.
Local business leaders in the Coachella Valley expressed concern over the potential economic fallout. The Palm Springs International Film Festival generates millions in revenue for hotels, restaurants, and shops, and any travel hiccups could deter visitors or force last-minute changes. "Smooth air access is crucial for events like this," said a representative from the Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau, who noted that the airport handles about 3.5 million passengers annually, with January being one of the peak months.
As night fell on Jan. 3, the tarmac at PSP showed signs of life with planes taxiing and gates reopening, but the full normalization could take days. Experts in aviation logistics suggest that such ground stops often lead to cascading delays that persist for 24 to 48 hours, as crews and aircraft are repositioned. The FAA, in past similar events, has conducted post-incident reviews to prevent recurrences, though details of any investigation into this Southern California issue remain pending.
Passengers affected by the ground stop may be eligible for compensation or rebooking assistance under airline policies and federal rules, particularly if the disruption was within the carrier's control. However, since this incident involved FAA-mandated actions, refunds or vouchers could be limited. The U.S. Department of Transportation encourages travelers to file complaints if needed, and several airlines have already posted apologies on social media, promising to communicate directly with impacted customers.
Looking ahead, the Palm Springs airport and FAA are expected to provide more clarity on the root cause in the coming days. For now, the focus remains on getting travelers to their destinations, whether it's a film premiere in Palm Springs or a family reunion elsewhere. As the festival continues, officials hope the skies will stay clear, allowing the event to proceed without further interruptions.
In the meantime, those planning trips through PSP are advised to build in buffer time and stay informed. The airport's recent expansions, including new dining and shopping options, offer some consolation for delayed passengers, but nothing quite makes up for hours lost in limbo. Paul Albani-Burgio, who covers growth and business for the Desert Sun, noted that such events highlight the fragility of modern air travel, even in sunny Southern California.