SFO Closes Major Runway for Six Months: What This Means for Your 2026 Flights

January 6, 2026 at 12:00 AM•3 min read

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) will close Runway 1 Right from March 30 to October 2, 2026, for a $180 million upgrade, causing minor peak-period flight delays.

Key Points

1San Francisco International Airport (SFO) will close Runway 1 Right (1R/19L) for six months, from March 30 to October 2, 2026.
2The $180 million airfield modernization project includes repaving, taxiway improvements, and lighting upgrades, with $92.1 million funded by the FAA.
3SFO expects less than 10% of flights to be delayed, with average delays under 30 minutes, primarily during 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. peak periods.
4All flight operations will be concentrated on Runways 28 Left and 28 Right during the closure.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is undertaking a major airfield modernization project. The airport announced the six-month closure of Runway 1 Right (1R/19L). This essential work will begin on March 30, 2026, and is scheduled to conclude on October 2, 2026. The project aims to improve safety and long-term operational resilience. This upgrade is a significant event for commercial aviation news and stakeholders.

Project Scope and Funding

The full renovation project carries an estimated cost of $180 million. The work involves several critical upgrades. This includes a complete repaving of the runway surface layer. There will also be improvements to adjacent taxiways. Furthermore, the project will upgrade airfield lighting systems. New striping and markings will also be painted. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is providing substantial financial support. The FAA will fund $92.1 million of the total project cost. Granite Construction Company was awarded the contract for the work.

Key Details of the Closure

This six-month construction window overlaps with the peak summer travel season. SFO is a major hub for carriers like United Airlines and numerous international airlines. Airport officials have implemented a detailed operational plan. This plan is designed to minimize disruption during the closure period.

Closure Dates: March 30, 2026, to October 2, 2026.
Total Project Cost: $180 million.
Primary Operations: All arrivals and departures will shift to Runways 28 Left and 28 Right.
Ground Congestion: The parallel Runway 1 Left will serve as an additional taxiway.

Operational Impact on Flights

Airport authorities project a limited impact on flight schedules. SFO expects less than 10% of total flights to experience delays. These delays are anticipated to average less than 30 minutes. They are most likely to occur during peak traffic periods. These periods include the morning bank around 9:00 a.m. and the late evening bank. The operational shift will concentrate all takeoffs onto the 28 runways. This change may cause a temporary increase in departing air traffic noise. This will affect some nearby communities. The airport has recent experience managing such projects. Comparable runway renovations were completed in both 2023 and 2024. These previous projects had minimal operational disruption.

Long-Term Infrastructure Strategy

The closure of Runway 1R/19L is a strategic investment. It is part of SFO’s broader, long-term infrastructure strategy. Once this project is complete, three of SFO’s four runways will have been fully repaved. This work will have been completed within a four-year period. These essential upgrades extend the runway's pavement life. They also ensure the airport can accommodate modern aircraft requirements. This commitment to infrastructure renewal helps SFO maintain its status as a leading international gateway. For the latest updates on this and other commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights.