American Airlines Cancels Flights

FORT WORTH , Texas – At least one flight out of El Paso International Airport is canceled after American Airlines pulled several hundred flights Tuesday to conduct inspections on their planes.

The inspections are to ensure compliance with the Federal Aviation Administration’s standards of aircraft wheel wells. According to American Airlines, the inspections are related to technical compliance issues, not safety issues.

“We’ve been working in good faith to ensure that we are in complete compliance with this airworthiness directive,” said Gerard Arpey, Chairman and CEO of American Airlines. “We regret and apologize that we are once again causing inconvenience to our customers, but we will continue to work in good faith until we satisfy all of the technical issues related to this airworthiness directive.”

It is not known at this time how many cancellations will result, but it could be as many as 500 across the nation. Additional cancellations are likely Wednesday.

American will re-accommodate customers on other American flights or on flights operated by airlines in the same market. Customers may be automatically notified of flight changes. They should also check AA.com or with their travel agents for flight status.

American has assigned teams of employees that include aviation maintenance technicians, quality assurance inspectors, and engineers to inspect the aircraft and ensure full compliance, as well as to make the necessary adjustments.

According to American Airlines, aircraft that does not completely comply with the detailed technical specifications of installation will be removed from service until all specifications have been met. Aircraft will return to service after they have been inspected and all necessary work completed.

To find out if your flight is effected, click here.

To view El Paso International Airport’s website, click here.