The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) computer systems are experiencing problems retrieving flight plans, the FAA’s spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said in a prepared statement.
“We are having a problem processing flight plan information. We are investigating the cause of the problem. We are processing flight plans manually and expect some delays.”
The technical difficulties weren’t affecting air traffic control’s systems, Bergen said.
Controllers “have radio coverage and communications with planes.
The problems were first reported Thursday morning out of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta. It is the world’s busiest airport by passenger traffic, serving 90 million passengers per year, as well as by number of landings and take-offs.
One passenger reported hearing a gate agent’s announcement that the computer troubles weren’t letting pilots’ access flight plans and were preventing any planes from taking off.
As of 9:00 am ET traffic destined to LaGuardia Airport, NY and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston Texas was being delayed at its departure point. The Wait Time Calculator for security check point on the FAA site is off. If you travel today check the delay and cancellation information and give yourself extra wait time for going throw the Airport Security.
AirTran Airways spokesman Christopher White said there was no danger to flights in the air, and flights were still taking off and landing. Associated Press reports that AirTran has canceled 22 flights and dozens more flights have been delayed as of 5 a.m. PST. Delta Air Lines also has been affected.
If you want to explore the map you can follow the FAA airport delay information in real time here.
To check the particular flight or airline click here
