The recent Microsoft issue has had significant operational impacts on the Alaska International Airport System (AIAS), Fairbanks International Airport (FAI), and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC). Both airports are experiencing multiple flight delays, and Ted Stevens International Airport has seen several flight cancellations across multiple airlines.
According to a press release from the State, 24 hours of delays are anticipated. “Given the impacts nationwide, we can expect delays and cancellations at least for the next 24 hours as airlines resume operations,” the release said.
All Alaska Airlines flights are on time with no reported delays due to the Microsoft outage.
Operational Issues at Fairbanks International Airport (FAI)
1. Flight Disruptions:
- United Flight 1186 to Denver (DEN): The flight was delayed and rescheduled for an estimated departure time (ETD) of 3 p.m. The aircraft was pushed back to spot 5 for the incoming AirNorth flight at 9 a.m.
- Delta Flight 2408 to Seattle (SEA): The flight is delayed and currently at gate 5 due to a hydraulic leak. No ETD has been provided yet.
- Delta Flight 316 to Minneapolis-Saint Paul (MSP): Delay, rescheduled for an ETD of 2 pm.
2. Fairbanks Communication Issues:
- The 911 and regular phone lines for Fairbanks Alaska State Troopers (AST), Fairbanks Emergency Communications Center (FECC), Matcom, and Soldotna dispatch went down last night shortly after 9 p.m.
- FAI’s Communication Center was the only dispatch center in the FNSB that could receive 911 calls, and all calls had to be routed to FAI.
- The University of Alaska Fairbanks Fire Department (UAF FD) dispatched personnel to assist FECC with fire and medical calls from the Airport Communications Center.
- FAI’s Cisco phones functioned normally throughout the event despite the issues with other communication lines.
- As for 4 a.m., connectivity was restored to FNSB emergency dispatch centers, and they were operational again.
Operational Issues at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)
1. Flight Disruptions:
- Delta Airlines: Experienced 4 flight cancellations,
- United Airlines: Experienced 3 flight cancellations.
- American Airlines: Experienced 1 delay
The state press release warned of continued issues and says a timeline for corrections has not yet been established. “Multiple airline’s systems continue to be affected late into the morning; there is no projected timeline for when they will be operational again,” the release said.