A global IT outage caused chaos for air passengers worldwide as airlines such as American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines issued ground stops for all flights due to communication problems. The aviation sector was hit particularly hard due to its sensitivity to timings, causing delays and cancellations for passengers around the world.
The disruption affected over 1,900 flights and more than 5,000 delays according to FlightAware. While most airlines were able to resume operations, disruptions were expected to continue throughout the day. Passengers faced challenges checking in and dealing with flight cancellations.
The global tech outage was attributed to a defect in a Microsoft Windows update according to cybersecurity firm Crowdstrike. Although the issue was isolated and fixed, the impact on the aviation industry was significant due to the industry’s reliance on precise timing.
Passengers were advised by airports and airlines to arrive earlier for flights, while airlines like American, Delta, United, and Spirit issued travel waivers for affected travelers. The Department of Transportation confirmed that the delays and cancellations were considered “controllable” by the airlines, which means customers can expect some flexibility and compensation in accordance with DOT rules.
Despite the disruptions, passengers remained hopeful and understanding, with some expressing relief after experiencing delays and waiting for updates on their flights. The airline industry remained dedicated to resolving the IT issues and providing assistance to affected travelers throughout the day.
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