Computer Glitch Delays Airline Flights Around the Country

80beats
By Andrew Moseman
Nov 19, 2009 11:14 PMNov 20, 2019 12:36 AM
airline220.jpg

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news
 

Air travelers around the country saw their flights delayed this morning, thanks to a computer glitch.

The problem, which occured [sic] in the Atlanta-based computer system that provides data about flight plans, has forced air controllers to input the information manually, said Arlene Salac, FAA spokeswoman in New York [Reuters]

. The Federal Aviation Administration tried to assure travelers that the problem wasn't a safety concern; rather it fouled up ground stops and caused delays. The problems began a little after 5 a.m. Eastern time, and hit Atlanta's busy airport the hardest.

One passenger said that a Delta Air Lines gate agent had announced that the glitch prevented pilots from accessing flight plans, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported [The New York Times]

. The computer problem has been fixed, though

FAA spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said she doesn't know how many flights have been affected [MSNBC]

. And today's glitch was the second such one in 15 months. Related Content: Discoblog: Airlines, Desperate to Lower Fuel Costs, Turn to GPS Discoblog: So It Is a Disease? United Airlines to Double-Charge Obese Fliers DISCOVER: Map: Flight Path Pandemonium

Image: flickr/ eschipul

1 free article left
Want More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/month

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

1 free articleSubscribe
Discover Magazine Logo
Want more?

Keep reading for as low as $1.99!

Subscribe

Already a subscriber?

Register or Log In

More From Discover
Stay Curious
Join
Our List

Sign up for our weekly science updates.

 
Subscribe
To The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Copyright © 2025 LabX Media Group