Transport networks around the world have been thrown into chaos by the global IT outage.
Some of the world’s largest airports, including London Heathrow, Singapore’s Changi Airport, Schipol Airport in Amsterdam and Melbourne Airport in Australia have faced problems with check-ins and security as online systems run by Microsoft shut down.
As of 11am (UK-time) Friday morning, 1,167 flights were cancelled worldwide, with the number expected to rise, according to data from aviation analysts Cirium.
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Major US airlines including American Airlines, Delta Airlines and United Airlines grounded all flights on Friday morning citing communication issues, while in Europe, passengers at Amsterdam’s Schipol Airport – the continent’s busiest – are experiencing average delays of 78 minutes.
Many airports have turned to manual systems, including Belfast International Airport, where whiteboards are being used to provide flight information, as the electronic screens are not functioning.
One passenger at Berlin airport said despite technical issues having been resolved, flights due to take off later today have been cancelled.
Anna, who was meant to travel to Split in Croatia at midday with her four children, said she found out that her flight had been cancelled when she got to the terminal at 9.30am.
IT outages at Los Angeles International Airport. Pic: AP
“The only information we were able to find was a piece of paper that has been posted to a wall. Of the 20 flights, only about three hadn’t been cancelled,” she told Sky News.
In the UK, pictures emerged of people waiting in queues at Edinburgh Airport and at Gatwick in London, lines of at least 50 metres formed with staff unpacking boxes of…
