dan9999
11-19-2009, 02:58 PM
U.S. Flights Delayed, Canceled Because of FAA Computer Glitch
Thursday, November 19, 2009
FOX News
Planes sit idle at Newark Liberty International Airport, one of many major airports across the country hit by an FAA computer glitch that has grounded hundreds of flights — and thousands of travelers.
An FAA computer malfunction involving access to flight plans is causing nationwide flight cancellations and delays Thursday.
The Federal Aviation Administration's computer systems are having trouble retrieving flight plans and in some cases they must be inputted by hand, a spokeswoman said.
"We are having a problem processing flight plan information," the FAA's Kathleen Bergen explained in a prepared statement. "We are processing flight plans manually and expect some delays."
For the FAA's flight tracker, click here.
Bergen said she doesn't know how many flights are affected or when the matter will be resolved, but the cause is being investigated.
The technical difficulties aren't affecting air traffic control's systems, she said.
Controllers "have radio coverage and communications with planes," according to Bergen.
AirTran Airways says there's no danger to flights in the air, and flights are still taking off and landing.
"Everything is safe in the air," said AirTran spokesman Christopher White.
The problems were first reported Thursday morning out of the world's busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport — which has been particularly affected by the glitch.
One Delta passenger in Atlanta reported hearing a gate agent's announcement that the computer troubles weren't letting pilots access flight plans and were preventing any planes from taking off, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
AirTran had canceled 22 flights and dozens more flights were delayed as of 8 a.m. EST. Delta Air Lines also has been affected.
Passengers should check the status of their flights online before going to airports.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
FOX News
Planes sit idle at Newark Liberty International Airport, one of many major airports across the country hit by an FAA computer glitch that has grounded hundreds of flights — and thousands of travelers.
An FAA computer malfunction involving access to flight plans is causing nationwide flight cancellations and delays Thursday.
The Federal Aviation Administration's computer systems are having trouble retrieving flight plans and in some cases they must be inputted by hand, a spokeswoman said.
"We are having a problem processing flight plan information," the FAA's Kathleen Bergen explained in a prepared statement. "We are processing flight plans manually and expect some delays."
For the FAA's flight tracker, click here.
Bergen said she doesn't know how many flights are affected or when the matter will be resolved, but the cause is being investigated.
The technical difficulties aren't affecting air traffic control's systems, she said.
Controllers "have radio coverage and communications with planes," according to Bergen.
AirTran Airways says there's no danger to flights in the air, and flights are still taking off and landing.
"Everything is safe in the air," said AirTran spokesman Christopher White.
The problems were first reported Thursday morning out of the world's busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport — which has been particularly affected by the glitch.
One Delta passenger in Atlanta reported hearing a gate agent's announcement that the computer troubles weren't letting pilots access flight plans and were preventing any planes from taking off, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
AirTran had canceled 22 flights and dozens more flights were delayed as of 8 a.m. EST. Delta Air Lines also has been affected.
Passengers should check the status of their flights online before going to airports.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.