Alaska Airlines temporarily grounded all of its flights on Wednesday morning due to a technical issue. The Seattle-based airline stated that it requested a ground stop for all Alaska and Horizon air flights as a precautionary measure after experiencing a problem while upgrading the system that calculates the weight and balance of its aircraft.
The ground stop lasted for approximately one hour, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Pacific time, after which flights began to resume. However, the airline anticipated residual delays throughout the day and advised travelers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
The grounding of Alaska Airlines flights coincided with dual Senate hearings on Wednesday that focused on allegations of significant safety failures at Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer. Boeing has been in crisis mode since January, when a door-plug panel blew off a 737 Max jetliner during an Alaska Airlines flight.
During the Senate Commerce Committee hearing, members of an expert panel presented their findings, which alleged serious flaws in Boeing’s safety culture. Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, emphasized the public’s concern and desire for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and lawmakers to ensure that flying on one of Boeing’s planes has not become more dangerous.
Cruz acknowledged that while flying commercial remains the safest way to travel, recent incidents have understandably left the flying public worried, with the perception that things are getting worse.
In a report released in February, the expert panel concluded that despite improvements made following the crashes of two Boeing Max jets that claimed 346 lives, Boeing’s approach to safety remains flawed. The report also highlighted that employees who raise concerns could face pressure and retaliation.
The grounding of Alaska Airlines flights and the Senate hearings on Boeing’s safety issues have brought renewed attention to the importance of maintaining the highest standards of safety in the aviation industry, both for airlines and aircraft manufacturers.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.