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Thursday, November 19, 2009

Computer Glitch Causing Major Flight Delays

By Ken Sweet

FOXBusiness

A computer glitch caused nationwide flight cancellations, Federal Aviation Administration officials said Thursday, but officials said the system is beginning to return to working order

Flights currently in the air were not affected, officials said, and some flights are able to still take off and land.

The computer glitch was related to a FAA system that collects airlines’ flights plans, forcing airlines and air traffic controllers to input the data manually.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association confirmed reports that some of the FAA's systems were coming back online, but said they expect flight delays throughout the day.

Initially, delays are at airports all over the country, with Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport and Salt Lake City's airport being particularly affected. In an update, the FAA said that delays are now occurring at only the major airports in Washington D.C., New York City, Philadelphia and Chicago.

Officials at the FAA told FOX News that the system went down between 5:15 and 5:30 a.m. ET today. Similar problems have occurred before in 2008 and 2007.

Passengers traveling during this busy time of the year are being asked to check their flight status online with their respective airlines.

Shares of all the major carriers – American Airlines (AMR), Delta (DAL), United Air Lines (UAUA) and Southwest Airlines (LUV) - were all lower in Thursday trading, along with the broader market.