Alaska Airlines Returns MD-80s to Service After Completing FAA Inspections

April 10, 2008
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.

SEATTLE, April 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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 www.alaskaair.com/newsroom.

SOURCE Alaska Airlines