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Air Canada Struggles With Computer Glitch; Some Flight Delays

Posted on: Friday, 16 November 2007, 09:00 CST

By THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO - Air Canada was struggling to contend with a computer problem Friday that caused flight delays at Toronto's Pearson International Airport.

It was unclear whether the computer glitch, which apparently affected passenger check-in services, was localized at Pearson or had affected the airline's operations nationwide, said Angela Mah, a spokeswoman for the airline.

"We are currently working on isolating the issue and resolving the issue as soon as possible," Mah told The Canadian Press in a telephone interview.

An advisory on the Air Canada website said the airline is experiencing technical difficulties with a computer system which will likely result in some flight delays. The advisory said the airline expects the issue to be fixed shortly.

In Halifax, the computer glitch also caused delays at the Robert L. Stanfield International Airport.

Airport spokesman Peter Spurway said several departing Air Canada flights were delayed Friday morning, though it wasn't clear how many flights were affected or how long the delays were. Other flights arriving from Toronto were affected, as well.

Spurway said there were no cancelled flights, and by mid-morning, the flights were departing without problems.

"They are back on track, that's what they've told us," he said.

As of 8:30 a.m. EST, Air Canada had not indicated the problem was fixed.

At Pearson, local media reported that hundreds of people were milling about at Air Canada check in counters.

Passengers booked on Air Canada flights were being advised to phone ahead and check on the status of their flights, Mah said.

The problem forced the airline to put many of its flights on standby and several departures were delayed, but there were reports that some flights were taking off from Pearson, albeit late.

It was unclear how serious of a backlog the glitch would cause the airline throughout the day.

Source: Canadian Press

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