Southwest continues working to resolve technical issues
RALEIGH-DURHAM INTERNATIONAL (WTVD) -- Southwest Airlines travelers planning to leave out of Raleigh-Durham International Airport Thursday need to pack their patience.
The airline is asking customers to bear with them while it continues its efforts to address lingering effects from a massive computer outage Wednesday.
Nearly all of Southwest Airlines' flights were grounded at RDU and across the country because of technology problems, which forced some travelers to spend the night at RDU or at a hotel.
"Not enough sleep and when you're ready to get home, you're ready to get home," said passenger Bonnie Fox, who is from Omaha.
Long lines formed early Thursday morning as passengers tried to resume their trips amidst concerns of whether their flights would leave on time.
"It's inconvenient obviously," said Patricia Kelly, whose flight was delayed. "When you have plans made. I'm attending a convention so it's really cutting into my time. But you have to kind of roll with the punches because you really don't have much choice."
Southwest Airlines said it is working hard to accommodate customers and still looking at challenges.
"It's never too early to say thank you and to extend our apologies and we want to share those sentiments both with our hard-working Employees and our loyal and understanding Customers, whom we hope to welcome back for a better experience soon. We'll continue to work individually with our affected Customers to make this right," the company said in a statement.
Flights scheduled to depart Thursday are leaving on-time, but officials say travelers should arrive at the airport extra early as the airline continues to resolve issues.
Over 20 percent of RDU's passenger traffic this year uses Southwest, according to an airport activity report.
