Alaska Airlines experienced an IT outage on Sunday evening, causing delays and a ground stop at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The outage was first noticed around 8 p.m. PT and was resolved by 10 p.m. PT. The company attributed the issue to a certificate problem that impacted multiple systems, rather than a cyberattack. The outage affected flights beyond Seattle, with passengers reporting delays and cancellations at other airports as well.
The ground stop at Sea-Tac was requested in order to clear aircraft congestion on the ground. Alaska Airlines apologized to affected passengers for the disruption and assured them that they were working to get everyone to their destinations. The outage also impacted Alaska’s app and mobile check-in process, causing further inconveniences for travelers. This is not the first time Alaska Airlines has experienced tech-related issues, having grounded flights nationwide in April due to a problem with a system that calculates weight and balance.
The Port of Seattle, which includes Sea-Tac Airport, was hit by a ransomware attack last month, adding to concerns about the impact of cyber incidents on airport operations. While Alaska Airlines clarified that the recent IT outage was not the result of a cyberattack, it underscores the vulnerability of airlines and airports to such disruptions. The issue was ultimately resolved, but Alaska expects some residual impacts on its operations as a result of the outage.
Passengers reported being stuck on the tarmac at various airports as a result of the grounding of planes. Flights were delayed and canceled as a result of the outage, with some travelers expressing frustration at the lack of information provided to them. Alaska Airlines has faced similar tech-related challenges in the past, including outages in 2011 and 2012. The airline has not disclosed the exact nature of the IT issue that caused the outage, but assured customers that it was not due to any unauthorized activity.
Despite the disruption caused by the IT outage, Alaska Airlines was able to resolve the issue in a timely manner. The airline has apologized to affected passengers and is working to minimize the impact on its operations. Passengers are advised to check the status of their flights and make alternate arrangements if necessary. Alaska Airlines continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as needed. The airline remains committed to providing safe and reliable service to its customers, despite occasional technical challenges.
