Alaska Airlines Grounds Fleet Amid IT Outage
Alaska Airlines Faces a Grounded Fleet Amid an IT Outage
Alaska Airlines has issued a provisional stop on all mainline aircraft following an IT outage that is disrupting operations across the network. The airline formally requested that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) suspend flight operations for all Alaska and Horizon Air routes until the technical problem is resolved.
Impact on Travelers
- All destinations served by Alaska’s mainline aircraft are affected by the ground stop.
- Passengers are urged to verify flight status before heading to the airport.
- Alaska Airlines has apologized for the inconvenience and highlighted that residual impacts will persist throughout the evening.
Response from the Public
The airline issued a statement, also posted on X, that drew criticism from frustrated travelers. A user named Caleb Heimlich wrote:
This is brutal. We’ve been sitting at the airport for two hours,
Another X user, BetterDays, commented:
This started at 8 pm & you’re just posting this now?! Your service has gone way down over the last 5 years.
Background on Outsourcing Issues
The incident follows a year after a door plug section of a newly delivered Boeing 737 Max 9 blew out during an Alaska Airlines flight between Portland, Oregon, and Ontario, California. The rapid decompression resulted in 171 passengers and six crew members surviving, but the event prompted the FAA to ground many Boeing 737‑9 aircraft operated by US airlines.
Last month, U.S. investigators stated that Boeing’s inadequate training for manufacturing staff contributed to the near‑catastrophic blowout. Alaska Air Group maintains a fleet of 325 aircraft, comprising 238 Boeing 737 planes and 87 Embraer 175 aircraft, according to its website.
Current Status
Alaska Airlines has not immediately responded to AFP’s requests for comment. The FAA status page on the agency’s website confirms the ground stop, but the airline is working to restore normal operations as soon as the IT issue is resolved.
