Computer Glitch Fixed After Slowing Flights Nationwide

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- A computer glitch that slowed flights on the east coast has been resolved, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Les Dorr, spokesperson for the FAA, says the problem occurred Thursday morning within their telecommunications network, affecting their automated processing systems. Dorr says the systems allow the FAA to manage flight information automatically, which is now having to be faxed or emailed.

FAA FLIGHT INFORMATION

The FAA has linked everything back to a software problem at one of their telecommunications centers in Salt Lake City.

Networking expert Joel Harding says this demonstrates a problem many government agencies are going through: aging technology.

"We were actually stuck on the airway, waiting for about an hour, sitting on the plane, not really knowing too much what was going on," said Ben Donnelly, Houston.

"I guess you want to make sure you're safe when you're in the sky so I guess you just have to put up with it," said Lorenda Dimeo, passenger.

In this case, a single circuit board inside a router failed and prevented air traffic controllers from communicating with each other.

Harding says the technology is so out-of-date that if it were upgraded it would cost billions of dollars.

"There's not enough money to upgrade everything all at the same time, continuously, and that's the problem," said Harding.

Harding says it's the fact passengers are experiencing some of the smaller problems now, is good. He says it gives agencies the justification to ask for more money for better computers.

CBS News reports the glitch affected about 40-50% of what a normal day would look like.

Dorr says the FAA was able to track aircraft on radar as well as communicate with planes during the outage.

FAA's website, FlyFAA.com, says Dulles International Airport is experiencing gate hold and taxi delays of an hour and a half. The website also says delays at Reagan National Airport are a little over an hour. Tara Hamilton, spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, recommends travelers contact their airline before leaving for the airport to make sure their flights are running on time.

A check on the website for BE-Marshall airport found minor departure and arrival delays early Thursday morning, but nothing wide-reaching.