United Airlines experienced a widespread technology issue on Tuesday that led to a temporary halt in departures nationwide. The incident occurred due to a software update, according to United, emphasizing that it was not a cybersecurity issue. Although the glitch caused delays and cancellations, it did not affect flights already in the air.
FAA Involvement and Limited Impact
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was contacted by United Airlines, requesting a nationwide halt in departures. However, the FAA clarified that the issue was confined to United and its subsidiaries. The ground stop lasted slightly over an hour and resulted in a relatively small number of flight cancellations compared to the airline's usual rate, with only seven flights affected. Nevertheless, more than 350 United flights were delayed, accounting for 13% of the carrier's schedule.
Similarities to Past Outages
Similar incidents have taken place in the airline industry in the past. Southwest Airlines witnessed a comparable outage in April, causing flight delays and cancellations. Additionally, the FAA had briefly halted all U.S. departures in January due to a system failure related to pilot safety alerts.
Assurance from Transportation Secretary Buttigieg
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, known for his scrutiny of airlines' performance, reassured the public that the FAA is investigating the cause and extent of the issue. Buttigieg expressed his commitment to holding United Airlines accountable for fulfilling its obligations towards affected passengers.
United Airlines Holdings Inc., based in Chicago, experienced a 2.5% drop in shares following news of the ground stop.
