How Microsoft’s Outage Is Affecting Airline Flight Delays and Cancellations Around the World
Banking institutions, medical facilities, mobile operators and thousands of other businesses were interrupted on Friday, 19th as companies across the globe dealt with a continuing global IT outage. Air travel has been especially affected, with flights grounded and operations delayed. Skycop looks into the current state of affairs and advises what to do if you’re a passenger and how to receive your flight delay compensation.
- 2024-07-19
- 5:21 PM GMT
CrowdStrike, the cybersecurity company, experienced a major outage earlier in the day due to a technical upgrade. Companies, including Microsoft, were left rushing to restore programs and services required by many businesses.
Airlines across Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, and Asia published notifications explaining the suspected effect on their flight itineraries and overall services, advising customers to check their travel status. So far, more than 1,400 flights have been cancelled worldwide today, and this number is expected to rise as the knock-on effects worsen. Flight update and check-in displays at airports worldwide exhibited the so-called “blue screen of death,” which indicates a Microsoft system malfunction.
So, what can you do if this breakdown affects you?
First of all, keep calm. This scenario is undoubtedly distressing for both travellers and airline employees. Keeping patience and compassion may help relieve some of the stress that comes with travel difficulties.
Before leaving for the airport, check the official websites and social media of your airline and follow any instructions offered;
Pack essential things such as prescriptions, documents, and a change of clothing in your carry-on baggage in case of a long delay or overnight stay.
Due to the interruption, certain airports may move to manual check-in. Keep all relevant paperwork (ID, boarding pass, etc.) available and readily accessible.
If your flight is seriously delayed or even cancelled, contact the airline’s support team for rebooking alternatives, compensation for the cancelled flight, or accommodations.
Indeed, if your flight was annulled, you can claim a refund. According to EU Regulation 261/2004, customers have the right to receive compensation if their flight is cancelled within 14 days of departure. Based on the flight distance, reimbursement rates vary from €250 to €600. You can use online tools and services like Skycop that can assist you in claiming EU 261 compensation. If you have travel insurance, check to see whether it includes flight cancellations. Your insurance company may help you file a claim.
So far, the situation stays tense and it’s difficult to make predictions about when it will normalise and who will bear responsibility for today’s big concerns. Skycop will keep you updated ensuring that you have the latest information and support.
