Alaska Airlines cancels 7% of Monday flights after IT outage prompted ground stop

 

Alaska Airlines cancels 7% of Monday flights after IT outage prompted ground stop

Alaska Airlines Cancels 7% of Monday Flights Following IT Outage and Ground Stop

A major IT breakdown disabled operations on Monday, causing Alaska Airlines to stop operations nationwide and cancel almost 7% of its scheduled flights. Thousands of passengers experienced delays and confusion as the airline rushed back to regular service after the issue arose early in the day.

System-Wide Disruption Leaves Passengers Stranded

The issue, which was traced to a breakdown in the airline's internal networks, suspended operations just after 4 a.m. PT. Check-in systems, flight planning instruments, and dispatcher communications—all vital to properly operating and tracking flights—were impacted by the outage, according to Alaska Airlines.

The FAA, or Federal Aviation Administration, issued a temporary ground stop as a safety measure, but it was lifted almost two hours later when systems started to come back online. As staff worked through the backlog, the airline continued to face spiraling cancellations and delays throughout the day, even after the FAA removed the prohibition.

 

Company Apologizes, Offers Flexibility to Affected Travelers

Alaska Airlines acknowledged the huge inconvenience the outage caused and formally apologised. In a statement, the airline added, "We deeply apologize to our guests for the disruption." "Our teams are working hard to find a solution and ensure that everyone gets their destinations safely."

Alaska provided passengers who choose to cancel or delay their trip with an exclusion of change fees and cost differences  lessen the financial impact on them. The airline's website and mobile app, which were partially accessible during the outage, were urged to be used regularly to check flight status.

 

Over 100 Flights Impacted as Recovery Continues

Over 100 planes had been canceled and numerous others had been delayed as of Monday afternoon. Travelers wanting answers reported lengthy lines and increasing frustration at major hubs such as Los Angeles International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

As they realign planes and staff throughout their network, airline officials stated that recovery operations would continue into Tuesday. It is suggested that travellers arrive early and be ready for any delays.

 

A Wake-Up Call for Airline Infrastructure?

This most recent example shows the aviation industry's increasing sensitivity to IT breakdowns. Even while Alaska Airlines has a solid working history, Monday's disruption serves as a reminder that technological failures may affect even well-run airlines.

Such failures are becoming more frequent as airlines rely more on digital systems, stated aviation experts. "This lesson is difficult," one industry analyst said. "Airlines need to constantly invest in IT resilience because even a small issue can quickly turn into a crisis that lasts for a whole day."

 

Looking Ahead: Alaska Airlines Promises a Review

In along to reviewing their systems to prevent future incidents of this kind, Alaska Airlines has promised to carry out an extensive inquiry into the reason for the outage. The business stated that after the internal evaluation is over, it will provide additional details.

Travelers are urged to keep a close eye on their itineraries and use official channels to be informed in the meantime. Alaska Airlines stressed that safety remained its top worry throughout the incident, despite the uproar.