Alaska Airlines halted more than 200 flights after a major IT failure caused a system-wide ground stop, affecting both mainline and Horizon Air operations.
🖋 By Meenakshi – AZAD Architects, Barnala
Alaska Airlines Grounds Entire Fleet Amid IT Outage – Over 200 Flights Impacted
Alaska Airlines Temporarily Grounds Entire Fleet After IT Breakdown
In an unexpected move, Alaska Airlines placed a temporary ground stop on its entire fleet of over 200 planes late Sunday evening following a major IT system outage. The disruption affected flights operated under its primary brand, as well as its regional carrier, Horizon Air.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the grounding through an advisory issued shortly after 9 PM local time. While the FAA did not immediately clarify the exact cause of the outage, passengers were urged to check flight statuses before heading to the airport.
What Exactly Happened?
According to Alaska Airlines, the issue began around 8 PM Pacific Time, when a sudden IT failure disrupted operational systems. This forced the airline to temporarily halt all flights to prevent further scheduling and operational issues.
The ground stop impacted not only Alaska’s mainline services but also Horizon Air, its regional subsidiary. As a result, travelers across all destinations experienced delays and potential cancellations.
Scale of the Ground Stop
Alaska Airlines, part of Alaska Air Group, operates a fleet of:
• 238 Boeing 737 aircraft
• 87 Embraer 175 aircraft
This means hundreds of flights, spanning both domestic and regional routes, were affected by the sudden shutdown.
Airline’s Official Statement
Speaking to ABC News, the airline explained:
“At approximately 8 PM Pacific on Sunday, Alaska Airlines experienced an IT outage impacting our operations. We requested a temporary, system-wide ground stop for Alaska and Horizon Air flights until the issue is resolved.”
The airline apologized for the inconvenience and warned that even after services resume, residual delays might continue throughout the evening.
What Should Passengers Do?
• Check real-time flight status via Alaska Airlines’ official app or website.
• Be prepared for potential rebookings and extended delays.
• Monitor airline notifications for updates on system restoration.
Looking Ahead
While Alaska Airlines has yet to release detailed information about the IT failure, such incidents highlight the critical dependence of modern aviation on technology. For now, affected passengers are advised to stay patient as the airline works to restore normal operations.
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