Flight cancellations have been on the rise following an emergency on board an Alaska Airlines jet. Passengers were exposed to the elements at over 16,000 feet above ground level after an emergency exit-size door plug detached from the fuselage, causing rapid decompression. The incident led to the grounding of Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), resulting in the cancellation of hundreds of flights. As the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigates the incident, it remains uncertain when the disruptions will end.
Two US airlines, United and Alaska, fly the Boeing 737 MAX 9. United has 79 of these aircraft in service, with 7,951 flights scheduled for this month. Alaska has 65 MAX 9s in service and had over 5,000 flights planned for this month. Additionally, Mexican carrier Aeromexico and Panama-based Copa Airlines also operate the jet. Globally, there are currently 215 MAX 9s in service.
The grounding of the MAX 9s has had a significant operational impact on airlines. The FAA ordered inspections of all the aircraft, leading to their grounding and causing disruptions to flight schedules across the country. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport have been particularly affected. Alaska warned of “significant cancellations” in the first half of the week, with 154 cancellations on Monday alone. United has parked all its MAX 9 aircraft and is working to accommodate affected customers on other flights or swapping out different aircraft types to avoid cancellations.
The FAA approved a method for airlines to comply with its airworthiness directive for the MAX 9 on Monday. This means that airlines now know what inspections are required to return the aircraft to service. The NTSB recovered the door plug on Sunday, which will be crucial in determining the cause of the incident and the actions needed to return the aircraft to service. United has already begun inspections and found installation defects on several door plugs.
The duration of the flight disruptions depends on how long the MAX 9 remains grounded. This will be determined by the investigation and the nature of the inspections required. If the issue is an isolated incident, the disruptions could be short-lived. However, if it is a fundamental design flaw, the grounding could be prolonged. Passengers with upcoming flights on United or Alaska should closely monitor their airlines’ apps for any cancellations or changes to their reservations. In the event of a cancellation or significant delay, passengers are entitled to a refund under US Department of Transportation policies.