Change of Weather Causes a Shift in Bay Area Aircraft Flight Patterns

Oakland, CA - Recent rain storms and the winds that precede them have caused more than just slick roads and dampened spirits -- they are also responsible for a change in flight patterns at all Bay Area airports, including Oakland International Airport (OAK).

On a typical day, jet aircraft arrive at and depart from OAK's main commercial runway in a westerly direction (arriving from the San Mateo Bridge and departing towards the Bay Bridge). However, on stormy days, flight arrivals and departures change to a more southeasterly direction (arriving from the Bay Bridge and departing towards the San Mateo Bridge). Flights inbound to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) fly over the East Bay Hills, Oakland and Alameda.

"This time of year we usually see an increase in the number of calls from citizens about the flight pattern changes," said Noise Compliance Supervisor Carole Wedl. "The public should be aware that flight patterns are different during rainy weather and changing winds."

OAK flights schedules are usually unaffected by weather, while its larger neighbor to the west, SFO, often experiences arrival and departure delays of an hour or more.

To report noise concerns, call the Noise Hotline at (510) 563-6463.

OAK is a revenue division of the Port of Oakland, an independent department of the City of Oakland, and served 13.5 million passengers and handled more than 600,000 metric tons of air cargo in 2003. In April, OAK broke ground on a $500 million Terminal Improvement Program that includes the renovation of and a five-gate addition to Terminal 2, and the construction of a multi-level parking garage. Program completion is expected in 2008.

OAK has over 200 flights a day on 11 domestic and international carriers to 38 nonstop destinations, including Atlanta, Boston, the Hawaiian Islands, Mexico, New York, Philadelphia (begins Oct. 31) and Washington, D.C., and seasonal service to the Azores (Portugal), Costa Rica and Sun Valley, Idaho. OAK consistently has the fewest weather-related flight delays in the Bay Area. Visit oaklandairport.com for more information.

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