( CNN ) -- The chief executive of American Airlines , which has grounded almost 2,500 flights over the past three days , accepted `` full responsibility '' Thursday for failing to meet government inspection standards . `` I am profoundly sorry that we 've gotten ourselves into this situation , and I thank our customers for their patience under very difficult circumstances , '' American CEO Gerard Arpey said Thursday afternoon . The airline canceled 933 flights on MD-80 jets Thursday and announced 570 would be scrapped Friday . Potential wiring hazards in wheel wells that could cause fires or problems with landing gear prompted the action . American canceled several hundred flights for the same reason about two weeks ago . Earlier Thursday , American said it expected all of its MD-80 jets to be flight-worthy by Saturday night . The airline has offered to make amends to travelers with refunds , vouchers and compensation for overnight stays . The cancellations have delayed and stranded more than 140,000 passengers . Roger Frizzell , an airline spokesman , said the inspections involve technical compliance as opposed to flight safety . Watch how air travelers deal with disruptions » . Although American was most affected by the inspections , the Federal Aviation Administration 's orders for safety checks have also affected Southwest Airlines , United Airlines , Delta Air Lines , Alaska Airlines and Midwest Airlines , which was the latest airline to ground planes : 13 on Thursday . The FAA launched its inspection campaign in March , after CNN obtained documents given to congressional investigators that showed more than 100 Southwest aircraft had not had mandatory safety inspections . At a Capitol Hill hearing Thursday , the head of the Federal Aviation Administration 's safety division , Nicholas Sabatini , was told that his agency 's performance was woeful . `` I think [ it 's ] approaching losing the confidence of the American people and the Congress , '' said Sen. Jay Rockefeller , D-West Virginia . Lawmakers said the agency has become too close to the airline industry . Sabatini defended the FAA 's record but said any lapse was cause for concern . `` We found we had achieved 99 percent safety compliance , '' he told lawmakers . But , he added , `` It 's the other 1 percent that keeps me up at night . '' Passengers scheduled to fly on an American Airlines MD-80 between Tuesday and Friday can receive a full refund or apply the value of their ticket to a future flight , the airline said . People who stayed overnight as a result of a canceled flight can go to the company 's Web site to inquire about receiving compensation . Arpey said that the MD-80 has been a great plane for American Airlines and that the inspection problems should have `` no impact on our long-term fleet plan . '' `` The FAA is stepping up their surveillance and doing their job , '' Arpey said . `` In this case , we failed to get it right , and we 're trying very hard to get it right . '' He said American plans to hire an independent consultant to examine the company 's inspection system . Meanwhile , airports are doing their best to keep frustrated travelers happy . `` Getting stuck at the airport is not like a day at the beach , but we sure are trying to make passengers as comfortable as possible , '' said Ken Capps , vice president of public affairs for Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in Texas . Eateries were staying open all night , some provided free pastries and coffee , and some even handed out diapers . The situation at American 's hub at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago , Illinois , `` was what you might see on a normal Thursday morning , '' CNN 's Susan Roesgen reported . American employees handing out free coffee and granola bars found few takers . Watch a report from O'Hare » . At Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta , Georgia , American passengers reported frustration but complimented the carrier 's efforts to get them to their destinations . `` We were rerouted , '' said Chad Duncan of San Angelo , Texas , who was in Georgia to watch practice rounds of the Masters golf tournament . `` They were very helpful and everything , but it 's frustrating . Instead of having one stopover , we now have three . '' E-mail to a friend .
NEW : This means the product will ship as received by the manufacturer, sealed, with all advertised components, and with the manufacturer warranty. `` I am profoundly sorry , '' chief executive of American Airlines says . American expects all of its MD-80 jets to be flight-worthy by Saturday night . Alaska Airlines , Midwest Airlines cancel flights Thursday for safety checks .