A global IT issue has caused chaos at airports and grounded planes worldwide. American Airlines was forced to delay all flights on Friday due to communication problems, leading to disruptions reported by passengers on social media. The issue, caused by a Microsoft update, affected transport, broadcasting, and banking systems globally.
In the UK and Europe, airlines like easyJet, Wizz, Jet2, and British Airways faced issues at multiple airports. London Gatwick experienced system failures, while Berlin airport cited delays due to technical faults. US-based carriers United and Delta also issued a “global ground stop” on all flights.
Spain’s airports switched to manual systems, causing long queues at Palma Majorca Airport. Hong Kong airport implemented manual check-ins, and Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport was affected. Australian airlines Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin reported delays, while India faced check-in system outages at major airports.
Passengers were advised by Edinburgh Airport and London Heathrow to check their flight statuses before traveling. Frustrated travelers took to social media to share their experiences of being grounded without explanation. Microsoft worked to mitigate the issue, which reportedly originated from Crowdstrike cybersecurity software.
The disruption also impacted Britain’s Govia Thameslink Railway and GP surgeries, forcing them to deal with widespread IT issues. Microsoft assured users that they were working on resolving the problem gradually.