Global IT Outage Grounds Flights: Chaos at Airports

A massive IT outage caused by a software update from CrowdStrike disrupted airlines and other industries globally, leading to widespread flight delays and cancellations. Major airlines like Delta Air Lines and United faced severe disruption, with handwritten boarding passes issued to travelers. Delays are expected to affect schedules for days.

A massive IT outage originating from a CrowdStrike software update has wreaked havoc across various industries, including major airlines. With more than 110,000 scheduled commercial flights, over 5,000 were cancelled globally due to the software issues. Major airlines such as Delta, Ryanair, and United faced significant disruptions, with Delta cancelling 20% of its flights.

Passengers worldwide experienced delays and long lines, with some receiving handwritten boarding passes. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg indicated that while operations were stabilizing, full normalcy might be expected by Saturday. In the U.S., Delta's major hubs, such as Atlanta, were severely hit. European airlines like Ryanair and Iberia also faced delays and cancellations.

The incident led to questions about compensation for delayed passengers, particularly in Europe where airlines are legally required to compensate for delays over three hours. However, airlines may argue that the outage was an extraordinary circumstance, potentially exempting them from liability.

(With inputs from agencies.)