Reuse of Sept 11 flight numbers was error: airline (AFP)

WASHINGTON (AFP) – United Airlines said Wednesday a computer error mistakenly assigned numbers from two doomed flights in the September 11, 2001 attacks, a mishap that led to indignation by pilots and flight attendants.

United said the use of numbers Flight 93 and Flight 175 earlier this week were the result of a computer glitch that assigned the numbers at random.

"It was an unfortunate and inadvertent mistake on our part," airline spokesman Rahsaan Johnson told AFP, who said the number assignments were the result of code-sharing under a merger with Continental Airlines.

"This happened late Monday evening and we found out early this morning and immediately removed those flight numbers."

The news still drew criticism from unions representing pilots and flight attendants.

The Air Line Pilots Association said flight numbers 93 and 175 "have become synonymous with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001" and that the inadvertent assignment "demonstrates an absolute and blatant disrespect of the pilots, crew and passengers who lost their lives on that date."

"The thought of anyone among management at United Airlines to even consider reinstating these two sacred flight numbers on the heels of Osama bin Laden's death -- demonstrates a severe disconnect from right and wrong," said Wendy Morse, head of the pilot's council for United Airlines.

"Their insensitivity and unconscionable disrespect of these sacred flight numbers and their meaning to the employees of United Airlines and the families of those who lost their lives nearly 10 years ago are not only alarming, but reprehensible."

The Association of Flight Attendants, which represents crews at United and other carriers argued that "these flight numbers should have already been permanently retired."

Greg Davidowitch, president of AFA at United Airlines, said. "We have advised United Airlines that reinstatement of flights 93 and 175 is a terrible misstep.

"Out of respect for those who lost their lives and those who will always remember our heroes, United Airlines must what should have already been done -- immediately and permanently retire these flight numbers."

United Flight 93 crashed in a Pennsylvania field after passengers attempted to regain control of the hijacked aircraft on September 11. Hijacked Flight 175 crashed into the south tower of the World Trade Center in New York after American Airlines Flight 11 hit the north tower.

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