Global IT Outage Grounds Flights Worldwide: Airlines and Airports Affected

In an unprecedented global IT meltdown, countless flights across the globe have been delayed or canceled, leaving passengers stranded and airports bustling with confusion. This massive technical glitch affected major airlines and airports, causing chaos and frustration for travelers worldwide.

North America Hit Hard

American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines were all severely impacted, grounding flights early Friday morning. Although American Airlines has resolved the issue, Delta and United are gradually resuming operations, cautioning passengers of further disruptions throughout the day.

Southwest Airlines and JetBlue reported no disruptions, but advised passengers to monitor their flight statuses closely due to potential ripple effects.

Toronto-based Porter Airlines announced cancellations until noon ET, while Mexico’s Volaris and Viva Aerobus also experienced significant delays.

Major US Airports in Disarray

Los Angeles International Airport witnessed a mix of delays and cancellations. Similarly, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport faced customer service challenges despite operational systems being intact. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport anticipated significant delays, urging passengers to check their flight statuses beforehand.

Chicago O’Hare, John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, Newark, Philadelphia, and Charlotte Douglas International Airports all reported delays and cancellations, advising travelers to confirm flights before heading to the airport. Miami International Airport noted slower processing of international arrivals due to US Customs and Border Patrol issues.

Asia Pacific Reels from the Impact

In Asia, AirAsia’s reservation and check-in systems were down, forcing Cebu Pacific Air to handle processes manually. While Singapore Airlines faced technical difficulties, its flights remained unaffected. Qantas experienced delays, and several airlines at Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport and Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport reported technical issues.

Middle East and Europe Face Turmoil

Dubai International Airport and London’s Gatwick Airport both faced delays but have since returned to normal operations. Germany’s Berlin Airport and Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport continue to grapple with check-in issues. Edinburgh Airport and Spain’s AENA-supervised airports reported longer wait times and ongoing delays.

Iberia Airlines, Prague Airport, and Ryanair advised passengers of significant disruptions, while Air France and Turkish Airlines worked tirelessly to mitigate ticketing and reservation problems.

Central and South America Not Spared

Copa Airlines and LATAM Airlines faced delays, with Copa urging passengers to arrive at least four hours before departure.

Source: CNN