Alaska Airlines Resumes Flights After Ground Stop

Today, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop advisory for Alaska Airlines due to a technological issue. This advisory impacted all mainline and subcarrier flights of Alaska Airlines but excluded SkyWest, which provides regional service for the airline.

The grounding lasted for about an hour. During this time, Alaska Airlines worked to resolve the issue that arose during a system upgrade related to calculating the weight and balance of its planes. As a precautionary measure, the airline requested the ground stop, which was put in place around 7:30 a.m. PT and lifted by 8:30 a.m. PT.

Flights are now resuming, but passengers should anticipate some delays throughout the day. The airline encourages travelers to check the status of their flights on the Alaska Airlines website or app before heading to the airport.

This incident comes after a recent safety concern involving Alaska Airlines. On Jan. 5, flight 1282 traveling from Portland, Oregon to Ontario, California, experienced a window panel breaking away shortly after take-off. Despite the frightening incident, the plane successfully made an emergency landing at Portland International Airport with no reported injuries to passengers or crew.

Following this event, Alaska Airlines grounded its fleet of Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes. CEO Ben Minicucci issued an apology in response to the incident. Legal actions are ongoing, including a lawsuit filed by passengers against Boeing, the manufacturer of the 737 MAX 9 aircraft.

In addition to these safety concerns, Alaska Airlines faces scrutiny regarding its proposed $1.9 billion acquisition of rival Hawaiian Airlines. A consumer lawsuit filed in federal court claims that this merger could lead to higher prices, job layoffs, and fewer flights.

Despite these challenges, Alaska Airlines continues to work toward maintaining the safety and satisfaction of its passengers, ensuring that flights resume as quickly and safely as possible after any disruptions.