Passengers around the world have been facing flight delays, cancellations, and check-in problems as airports and airlines deal with a significant IT outage that has affected various industries. More than 2,600 flights have been canceled globally out of over 110,000 scheduled on a single day, with more expected to follow suit.
The disruption was believed to be linked to a glitch in Microsoft software, affecting airport operations, airlines, and even Microsoft Office 365 apps and services. Cybersecurity firm Crowdstrike has been working with affected customers to address the issue, which was caused by a defect in a content update for Microsoft Windows hosts.
Delays and disruptions were reported at major airports across the US, Asia, and Europe, including airlines such as Ryanair, Delta Air Lines, and Air India. Passengers faced long lines, manual check-ins, and delays due to the global nature of the IT issues. Some airlines implemented ground stops, leading to additional delays for travelers.
Despite the chaos, US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressed hope that the transportation system would be back to normal by Saturday. However, the full extent of legal responsibility and compensation for affected passengers is still unclear, especially in Europe where airlines are required to compensate passengers for delays over three hours.
Overall, the IT outage has caused widespread disruption in the aviation sector, with airlines and airports struggling to resume normal operations. Passengers have been advised to stay updated on flight statuses and contact their airlines for further information.
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