Alaska Airlines Returns MD-80s To Service After Completing FAA Inspections
Source: Alaska Airlines
Apr 10, 2008 - 2:44:00 PM
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SEATTLE — Alaska Airlines has determined that eight of its nine MD-80s are in
precise and complete compliance with a Federal Aviation Administration
airworthiness directive related to wire bundling in the aircraft's wheel wells.
Inspections conducted by Alaska Airlines and the FAA during the past two days
have focused on detailed, technical specifications and not safety-of-flight
issues.
Seven of the aircraft have returned to service after the airline
adjusted the spacing of wire bundle ties and taping, and repositioned wire
bundle clamps to precisely comply with the FAA's directive. Work continues on
the eighth aircraft. The airline's remaining MD-80 is undergoing maintenance
unrelated to the wire bundling issue.
Alaska Airlines canceled 11 flights
today as a result of the inspections. The cancellations affected three
departures from Seattle, two departures each from Portland and Oakland, and one
departure each from Anchorage, San Francisco, San Jose and
Sacramento.
The airline canceled 31 flights Tuesday night and Wednesday
due to the inspections and is re-accommodating passengers on other flights flown
by Alaska, Horizon Air or other carriers at no additional charge. Customers are
advised to check the status of their flight on alaskaair.com or by calling (800)
ALASKAAIR.
Alaska Airlines' nine MD-80s represent about 8 percent of its
115 aircraft and will be phased out by this fall as the carrier completes its
transition to an all-Boeing 737 fleet. The carrier has been working with The
Boeing Co. and the FAA for two weeks on compliance with the airworthiness
directive related to wire bundling. Alaska Airlines proactively inspected its
aircraft March 26 when the issue first became known and found no safety
issues.
Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air together serve 92 cities
through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico.
For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information, visit the
Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.
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