Alaska Airlines Grounds Flights for Three Hours Due to IT Outage

Alaska Airlines has resumed operations following an undisclosed technical error affecting its entire system for approximately three hours. The carrier experienced an “IT outage that resulted in a temporary, system-wide ground stop for Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air flights” around 8 p.m. Pacific time Sunday. The stop was lifted at 11 p.m., the Seattle-based company said in a social media post.

“As we reposition our aircraft and crews, there will most likely be residual impacts to our flights. It will take some time to get our overall operations back to normal,” the post said. The Federal Aviation Administration website had confirmed a ground stop for all Alaska Airlines mainline and Horizon aircraft, referring to an Alaska Airlines subsidiary.

The National Transportation Board last month credited the crew of Alaska Airlines flight 1282 with the survival of passengers when a door plug panel flew off the plane shortly after takeoff on Jan. 5, 2024, leaving a hole that sucked objects out of the cabin. In September, Alaska Airlines said it grounded its flights in Seattle briefly due to “significant disruptions” from an unspecified technology problem that was resolved within hours.

Alaska Airlines experienced a significant disruption in its operations late Sunday when an IT outage forced the carrier to ground all of its flights, including those operated by its regional subsidiary, Horizon Air. The outage, which affected the airline's entire system, led to a temporary halt in all flight activities for approximately three hours. The issue, described as an undisclosed technical error, impacted the airline's ability to manage its fleet efficiently, causing widespread delays and cancellations.

The ground stop was issued early Monday, with the airline announcing that all flights were affected due to the system-wide outage. This disruption came just a few months after a similar incident in April 2024, where Alaska Airlines had to ground its entire fleet due to an issue with the system that calculates the weight and balance of its planes. The recurrence of such technical problems raises concerns about the airline's IT infrastructure and its ability to handle critical systems during peak travel times.

Despite the challenges, Alaska Airlines managed to resume operations late Sunday night, lifting the ground stop and allowing flights to take off once again. The airline has not provided specific details about the nature of the technical error or the steps taken to prevent future occurrences. However, the swift resolution of the issue highlights the airline's preparedness and response capabilities in handling such emergencies.

The impact of the outage on passengers and the airline's operations is yet to be fully assessed. However, the incident serves as a reminder of the critical role that technology plays in modern aviation and the potential risks associated with system failures. Airlines must continue to invest in robust IT infrastructure and contingency plans to ensure the safety and reliability of their services.