Alaska Airlines experienced a significant IT outage on Sunday evening that resulted in delayed flights and a request for a ground stop at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The outage was first noted around 8 p.m. PT and was caused by a certificate issue that impacted multiple systems. The company confirmed that the outage was not due to a cyberattack or unauthorized activity. Despite the issue being resolved, Alaska warned of residual impacts on its operation and issued an apology to affected passengers, assuring that they were working to get everyone to their destinations.
The ground stop was implemented at SEA in order to clear the congestion of aircraft on the ground. A ground stop is used to slow or halt air traffic at an airport. The outage also impacted Alaska flights beyond Seattle, with reports of delays for flights from San Francisco to Portland and cancellations of flights to Seattle. Additionally, some users reported problems with Alaska’s app and mobile check-in process as a result of the IT outage. This incident comes after Alaska Airlines grounded flights nationwide in April due to a technology issue related to a system that calculates weight and balance.
Alaska Airlines has faced similar tech-related outages in the past, with incidents occurring in 2011 and 2012. The recent IT outage at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is a reminder of the vulnerabilities that can be faced by airlines and airports due to technological issues. It is also worth noting that the Port of Seattle experienced a ransomware attack last month, which had an impact on operations at the airport. These incidents highlight the importance of cybersecurity measures and the need for organizations to have robust IT systems in place to prevent and address disruptions.
The company issued a statement to GeekWire after the outage was resolved, acknowledging the disruption caused to their operation, including delays in flights. They assured passengers that they were working to address the residual impacts and apologized for any inconvenience caused. The outage was described as a certificate issue that affected multiple systems, leading to the ground stop request at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. While the issue was not due to a cyberattack, it serves as a reminder of the potential vulnerabilities in IT systems that can impact airline operations.
Alaska Airlines faced challenges with the IT outage beyond Seattle, with reports of delays and cancellations on flights to other destinations. Passengers were impacted by the disruption, with some experiencing delays on the tarmac and flight cancellations. The outage also affected Alaska’s app and mobile check-in process, further complicating travel plans for passengers. Despite the issue being resolved, Alaska warned of residual impacts on their operation and continued to work on getting passengers to their destinations. The incident highlights the importance of robust IT systems in the airline industry to prevent disruptions and ensure smooth operations for passengers.
Overall, the IT outage at Alaska Airlines on Sunday evening resulted in delays, cancellations, and a ground stop at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The issue was caused by a certificate problem that affected multiple systems, leading to disruptions in flights and operations. Alaska Airlines assured passengers that they were working to resolve the residual impacts and apologized for any inconvenience caused. The incident highlights the importance of cybersecurity measures and the need for robust IT systems in the airline industry to prevent and address disruptions that can impact passengers’ travel experiences.
