Alaska Airlines flights are back in the air after a nationwide ground stop this morning kept flights from departing for an hour. The culprit was an error in the software that calculates weight and balance.
Ground Stop Lifted: Alaska Airlines Flights Take Off
This morning, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a nationwide ground stop of all Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air flights. It lasted for an hour and did not impact SkyWest, which operates regional jets on behalf of Alaska Airlines.
Alaska initially provided no information as to the reason for the ground stop (sparking all sorts of rumors), but it has since emerged that the issue was related to a failed software upgrade on the tool that calculates weight and balance:
“This morning we experienced an issue while performing an upgrade to the system that calculates our weight and balance.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we requested a ground stop for all Alaska and Horizon flights, which was instituted at approximately 7:30 a.m. PT. The issue was mitigated and the ground stop for Alaska and Horizon flights expired at 8:30 a.m. PT. We have begun releasing flights. Residual delays are expected throughout the day.
We apologize for the inconvenience and encourage guests to check the status of their flights on alaskaair.com or the Alaska App prior to heading to the airport.”
Rolling delays will continue throughout the day, but no flights (as of noon ET) have been canceled.
Was your Alaska Airlines flight impacted today?
image: Alaska Airlines
Seattle people suffered from a Gaza protest yesterday and now a morning ground stop today. What will tomorrow bring?
I’m working in Seattle now and I assure you there is no suffering nor did I even notice a protest. Perhaps you are being a tad dramatic? But thanks for letting me know what I didn’t even know about being here, lol.
You are still the best.