Friday, July 19, 2024 A major IT outage caused widespread disruption across various sectors of the global travel industry today, impacting flight and train services. While the exact source of the outage remains under investigation, its impact was undeniable, highlighting the travel industry’s dependence on robust IT infrastructure. Train Delays and Information Blackout : Great Western Railway (GWR), one of the largest train operating companies in the UK, reported normal train operations on their vast network spanning over 1,300 miles.
However, a critical aspect of passenger experience– ticket issuing and real-time information displays – was compromised. This disruption likely caused confusion and delays for passengers, especially those unfamiliar with the GWR network or relying on last-minute updates to navigate their journeys. GWR and the Domino Effect on Travel Plans: While GWR’s core train operations may not have been directly halted, the IT outage created a domino effect.
Passengers facing difficulties with ticket issuance could experience delays in boarding or even miss their connections altogether, particularly those travelling on intercity routes or connecting to other modes of transport. Additionally, the lack of real-time information on departure boards and screens could have caused further delays and frustration for passengers with tight schedules or pre-booked onward travel plans, such as rental cars or hotel reservations. Beyond Train Travel : The IT outag.