Flights Returning Soon: When Can We Expect Takeoff?

A return to normal flight schedules depends on the reason for the disruption. Delays caused by weather events, air traffic control measures, or IT issues can take time to resolve and may result in ongoing cancellations and delays for several days. In some cases, it may take up to a week or more for flight schedules to resume as airlines work to accommodate affected passengers. Aircraft swaps, changes in crew availability, and other factors can also impact the duration of disruptions. It is recommended to stay updated with official sources and allow extra time when travelling during periods of uncertainty.

Delayed flights

Weather conditions also play a crucial role in flight delays. Unfavourable weather at the departure or destination airport can cause delays, and airlines often advise passengers to be at the gate on time as weather conditions can change quickly. Additionally, air traffic control (ATC) delays, which are implemented to manage air traffic, can be lifted at any time, allowing flights to depart earlier than expected.

It is worth noting that the impact of delays can vary depending on the location of the airport. Hub airports, which are major transit points, often have more flexibility in substituting aircraft, potentially reducing lengthy delays to just a few minutes. On the other hand, outstation airports may have fewer aircraft on hand, making delays more likely to be sustained or extended.

In some cases, delays may be caused by issues with the airline crew. For example, if there are not enough crew members available or if they need to be shifted between flights, this can result in delays or cancellations. Delays can also occur due to issues with the inbound flight, such as when the aircraft is delayed in arriving at the departure airport. In such cases, the airline may opt to use a different aircraft to minimise the delay.

Lastly, it's important to consider the knock-on effect of delays. When a significant number of flights are disrupted, it can take several days for airlines to rebook all affected passengers and restore a normal flight schedule. This can result in fully booked flights and increased demand, making it challenging for travellers to find alternative flights.

Cancelled flights

When flights are cancelled, it's important to stay up to date with the latest information from your airline and airport. In some cases, you may be able to change your trip with no change fee, especially if the cancellation is due to severe weather or other uncontrollable events. It's also a good idea to sign up for flight notifications and check your flight status regularly.

If your flight is cancelled, you may have the option to rebook your trip for a later date or request a refund. In some cases, you may be automatically rebooked on a different flight, but it's always a good idea to check with your airline to make sure. If you need to travel as soon as possible, you may consider alternative options such as driving or booking with another airline. Keep in mind that it may take a few days for flight schedules to return to normal, and flights are likely to be very full during this time.

It's also worth noting that, even if your flight is not cancelled, there may still be delays. It's a good idea to arrive at the airport earlier than usual to account for potential lines and give yourself plenty of time to check-in and board your flight.

Waivers and refunds

If your flight has been affected by the IT outage, you may be eligible for a waiver or refund. It is important to check with your airline for specific policies and procedures. Some airlines may offer waivers that allow you to change your flight without a fee. This could include changing the date, time, or destination of your flight. It is important to note that waiver policies vary by airline and may have certain restrictions or limitations.

In some cases, you may be entitled to a refund if your flight has been significantly delayed or cancelled due to the IT outage. Refunds are typically offered when the airline is at fault for the disruption, and the amount of the refund may depend on the length of the delay or the type of ticket purchased. If you choose to cancel your flight due to the IT outage, the airline may offer a full or partial refund, depending on the circumstances.

To request a waiver or refund, you will need to contact your airline directly. Most airlines have specific procedures for submitting requests, which may include online forms, phone calls, or in-person requests. It is important to provide as much information as possible about your flight, including your booking reference, dates of travel, and the reason for your request.

It is worth noting that the impact of the IT outage may result in a high volume of waiver and refund requests. As a result, it may take longer than usual to process your request. Additionally, some airlines may offer alternative options, such as rebooking on a different flight or providing travel vouchers for future use.

When severe weather or other uncontrollable events, such as civil unrest, impact your flight and travel dates, you may also be eligible for a waiver or refund. Each airline will have its own policies regarding these situations, so it is important to review the relevant information provided by your carrier. Keeping up to date with travel alerts and notifications from your airline will help you understand your options and make informed decisions regarding your travel plans.

Airport chaos

A global IT outage has caused travel chaos around the world, with thousands of flights cancelled and delayed, and passengers facing long queues at airports. The issue was caused by a software bug in an update to antivirus software by cybersecurity firm Crowdstrike, which is designed to protect Microsoft Windows devices from malicious attacks. While the bug has been fixed, the manual reboot of each affected computer will take a lot of work, and it could be some time before all systems are back up and running.

Impact on flights

The IT outage has resulted in thousands of flight cancellations and delays worldwide. Major US airlines, including American, United, and Delta, issued ground stops, causing further disruption. As of 19 July 2024, more than 5,000 flights had been cancelled globally, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. This number is expected to rise, as the impact of the outage is still being felt.

Passenger experience

Passengers have experienced long queues, delays, and flight cancellations at airports worldwide. With many systems down, passengers had to be manually checked in, causing further delays. Some passengers had to bed down for the night in airports, using their bags as pillows. Others have taken to social media to express their frustration with the delays and cancellations.

Recovery efforts

Crowdstrike has fixed the update and is working closely with impacted customers and partners to restore all systems. However, the company has admitted that it could take some time before all systems are back up and running. United Airlines, one of the affected carriers, has resumed some flights but expects schedule disruption to continue as it works to troubleshoot affected systems. Gatwick Airport expects most flights to operate as usual the day after the outage but warns of potential delays and cancellations over the weekend.

Looking ahead

While there are signs that the chaos is starting to lift, it is unclear how long the impacts will persist. With a large number of passengers needing to be rebooked, flights are expected to be filled to capacity for several days. It may take a few days for the supply and demand for flights to return to normal. Passengers with upcoming travel plans are advised to stay updated with their airlines and airports for the latest information.

IT system reboots

A global IT system reboot is required after a software bug in an update to antivirus software by cybersecurity firm Crowdstrike caused worldwide IT outages and grounded thousands of flights. The bug has been fixed, but the manual reboot of each affected Microsoft computer will take a lot of work, and it could be "some time" before all systems are back up and running.

The IT system reboot will require a huge amount of manual work. Each affected computer will need to be manually rebooted, which is a time-consuming and labour-intensive process. It is not a simple case of turning the computers off and on again, as each machine will need to be checked and the update will need to be installed correctly to ensure the bug has been completely removed.

The scale of the problem is significant, with thousands of flights cancelled and banking, healthcare, and payment systems affected. The impact has been felt around the world, with long queues, delays, and cancellations at airports as passengers had to be manually checked in. Some passengers even had to bed down for the night in the airport as they were unable to find alternative accommodation.

The cause of the issue has been identified as a flaw in an update to antivirus software by Crowdstrike, which is designed to protect Microsoft Windows devices from malicious attacks. While the software bug has been fixed, the impact of the outage is still being felt, and it could be some time before all systems are fully operational again.

It is important to note that this is not a simple process and that the manual reboot of each affected computer will take time and effort. The impact of the outage has been significant, and it is crucial that the necessary steps are taken to ensure all systems are fully functional before resuming normal operations. While it is understandable that people are eager to get back to their regular routines, the priority should be on ensuring that the IT systems are stable and secure to prevent further disruptions.

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