SEATTLE - Alaska Airlines has suspended operations of its Boeing 737-9 MAX fleet until Saturday after an in-flight incident on Sunday, January 5, led to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) order for a nationwide grounding. A door panel separated from Flight 1282 en route to Ontario, California, causing cabin depressurization and terror among passengers. The incident led to the discovery of loose hardware during subsequent safety inspections.
In response to the incident and the FAA's directive, Alaska Airlines has canceled up to 150 daily flights originating from Portland International Airport. The airline is actively informing affected passengers and has introduced a flexible travel policy to facilitate rebooking for those impacted by the cancellations.
This issue is not unique to Alaska Airlines; United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) has also experienced similar maintenance challenges with its Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft. The grounding and flight cancellations represent a precautionary measure as both airlines work to ensure the safety and integrity of their fleets.
A class-action lawsuit has been filed against The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) by six passengers over improper manufacturing practices. Passengers are demanding compensation for economic losses and physical injuries like bruises and internal ear bleeding inflicted by rapid depressurization, as well as severe emotional trauma. Allegations further include malfunctioning oxygen masks during the depressurization event, which intensified passenger fears of not surviving. One individual suffered extensive injuries including a concussion, neck/back injuries, hearing loss due to internal bleeding in her ears after this frightening ordeal aboard flight 1282.
On Tuesday, January 9, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun publicly took responsibility for this mistake during an internal company meeting at Renton headquarters. Investigations by both FAA and NTSB are ongoing regarding how the door plug detached and if there were lapses in ensuring jet safety standards by Boeing.
The detached door plug, weighing 63 pounds, was retrieved near Portland; it's scheduled for analysis at NTSB's lab as part of their investigation into this serious incident affecting both passengers' safety and Boeing's aircraft credibility. Passengers are encouraged to check their flight status and utilize the flexible travel options provided by Alaska Airlines during this period.
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