Airports around the globe have been plunged into chaos following a catastrophic Microsoft Windows malfunction. The technical failure has led to ‘disruption across the network’, yet Birmingham Airport has managed to keep most flights on track, operating as usual.
Check-in zones are experiencing unusual levels of congestion, with officials cautioning that the situation is ‘rapidly evolving’. Travellers have been advised to stay alert to guidance from their airlines, with numerous carriers releasing statements regarding the issues.
In an attempt to circumvent the mayhem, Ryanair has recommended that passengers should turn up at the airport three hours before their scheduled flight time. Jet2 has issued a reminder to its customers that check-in shuts 40 minutes prior to the flight’s departure and reassured that all flights are set to “depart as scheduled”.
For the complete airline statements, see below. Keep up to date with our live blog for the freshest information on this unfolding story.
Ryanair
A spokesperson for Ryanair commented: “We’re currently experiencing disruption across the network due to a Global 3rd party IT outage which is out of our control. We advise all passengers to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before their scheduled departure time.”
“If you’re due to travel today and have not already checked-in for your flight, you can do so at the airport. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused as a result of this Global 3rd party IT outage.”
Jet2
A Jet2 spokesperson has confirmed the impact of a significant IT failure, stating: “We are aware of a large-scale IT outage which is affecting computer systems. Whilst our systems are not directly affected, certain airports and some of our third party suppliers across the network are.
“As a result, we are experiencing check-in and boarding system issues in some airports. We are continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updates accordingly. Please continue to check the Jet2.com website for information regarding your flight.
“As a reminder, our check-in closes 40 minutes before your flights scheduled departure time. Currently, all flights are due to depart as scheduled and our teams are present to assist customers.”
British Airways
Meanwhile, British Airways has also been caught in the tech turmoil. A representative for the airline addressed the disruption: “Due to the widely-reported global Microsoft IT outage, some of our flights may experience disruption today. Our teams are working hard to manage the impact of this issue as quickly as possible.
“Please visit our flight status page for the most up-to-date information on your flight. We apologise for any potential impact to your travel plans. If you have a connecting flight as part of the same ticket and there’s a chance you may miss your connection, we’ll automatically rebook your onward journey. Please check Manage My Booking. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”