SFO Crash Site Runway Reopens

Written by San Francisco International Airport Spokesman Doug Yakel:

San Francisco International Airport re-opened runway 28L to full operation at 5:05 p.m. on Friday, within a week of the airport’s only fatal commercial air crash.  

Southwest Airlines was the first to land on the re-opened runway. More than 100 Airport staff started working around the clock immediately after the NTSB released the runway Wednesday night and the airfield on Thursday. The goal was to ensure the runway was safe and operational as quickly as possible. Airlines can resume their normal schedules immediately.

“The tremendous efforts and around-the-clock work of airport staff, government agencies, airline tenants and contractors allowed us to complete all repairs and safety certifications for Runway 28L in a timely and efficient manner," said Airport Director John L. Martin. “I want to convey my thanks and admiration to our entire team of airport staff and partners for returning SFO to full operations.”

As part of their final certification, the FAA conducted a series of special flyover flights Friday afternoon to check the navigation systems and the alignment of runway lights and other markings.

The fuselage was removed from the crash site in the early morning hours of Friday, July 12th and transported by flatbed trucks to a remote section of the airport known as Plot 41 for temporary storage. The airframe will be moved to a permanent location away from the Airport within the next two weeks.