A widespread global IT outage has affected businesses across various sectors, including banks, airlines, train companies, telecommunications, broadcasters, and supermarkets.
Major US airlines like American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines have been grounded, while airports in Germany, Amsterdam, and Spain are also reporting issues.
The disruption is believed to be linked to problems at global cybersecurity firm Crowdstrike and Microsoft, although it remains unclear if the same issue is affecting airports and train services worldwide. Microsoft acknowledged ongoing issues with its 365 applications, which are in a “degraded state,” and Crowdstrike noted reports of crashes in an automated message.
The outage has impacted Windows PCs globally, affecting operations like Sky News, which couldn’t broadcast live TV early Friday morning.
In London, Heathrow Airport stated that while flights are operational, delays are occurring. Contingency plans are in place to minimize disruptions, and passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest information. Gatwick Airport warned of potential delays, particularly with check-in and security procedures. Luton Airport is using manual systems to support operations due to the IT issue.
Ryanair warned of potential disruptions across all airlines in its network. At Edinburgh Airport, passengers couldn’t use automated boarding pass scanners, leading to manual checks. Security monitors displayed “server offline” messages.
GP surgeries in the UK have also been affected, unable to access patient records or book appointments. Practices using the NHS-commissioned EMIS system reported issues, with some surgeries asking patients to wait until the system is restored.
While the NHS hasn’t confirmed widespread issues, some hospitals appear unaffected. The Metropolitan Police reported no problems.
In the UK, train services under Govia Thameslink Railway’s brandsāSouthern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express, and Great Northernāare experiencing IT issues, leading to potential short-notice cancellations and disruptions to customer information systems. National Rail is actively investigating the root cause of the problem.
Credit: SkyNews