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Alaska and United Airlines have recently announced additional flight cancellations as a result of the nationwide grounding of Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft. This news comes after various safety concerns were raised regarding these planes. Let’s take a closer look at the impact this has had on the airlines and their passengers.
Alaska Airlines Takes Precautions
Alaska Airlines, in a statement released on its website, informed travelers that all flights originally scheduled to be operated on Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft will be canceled until Saturday. This decision has been made to facilitate thorough inspections and preparations for the safe return of these planes to service. The cancellation of these flights equates to approximately 110 to 150 flights per day. Alaska Airlines aims to provide its passengers with more certainty during this time of uncertainty.
United Airlines Faces Significant Challenges
Similarly, United Airlines has also experienced disruptions due to the grounding of Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft. While 167 Max 9 flights were canceled on Wednesday, the airline announced that some of these cancellations would be reinstated as other aircraft types are substituted. However, United Airlines anticipates “significant” cancellations on Thursday as well. The impact of these cancellations is evident as data from FlightAware indicates that 204 United and 121 Alaska flights were canceled on Wednesday.
Safety First
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) took prompt action and ordered the grounding of all Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft following an incident on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282. A panel blew off the aircraft during a flight from Portland, Oregon, to Ontario, California. The FAA has expressed its commitment to ensuring the safety of the flying public and will only allow the aircraft to return to service when it is deemed safe to do so. The agency is working diligently with Boeing to develop specific instructions for necessary inspections and maintenance.
Boeing Acknowledges Mistake
Boeing’s CEO, Dave Calhoun, acknowledged the incident as a mistake during a town hall staff meeting at the company’s factory in Renton, Washington. Calhoun emphasized that Boeing would approach the situation with complete transparency and work closely with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to identify the root cause of the problem. Boeing’s priority is to regain the trust of the aviation community and the general public.
While the investigation and necessary safety measures are in progress, Alaska Airlines and United Airlines are striving to reaccommodate affected passengers on alternative flights. It is vital for both airlines and Boeing to prioritize the safety and well-being of their customers in this challenging situation.
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