Friday, July 19, 2024 Passenger movement at Dubai International Airport came to an abrupt halt due to the global outage instigated by Crowdstrike’s update, which led to Microsoft services going offline. This incident did not only affect Dubai but also had a ripple effect across the globe, causing numerous airlines to face operational challenges. Destination Airport Flight Number Terminal Scheduled Time Status Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) QB2211 T2 16:30 Delayed Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM) SG060 T1 17:15 Delayed King Khalid International Airport (RUH) XY206 T1 17:20 Delayed Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD) 6E1484 T1 18:20 Delayed Several US airlines were compelled to cancel their flights due to the outage.
Flight operations only resumed once Microsoft had restored its cloud services in the Central US region. For instance, Frontier Airlines, based in the United States, grounded its flights for over two hours because of issues related to Microsoft’s services. Similarly, Allegiant Air had to release a statement to address their challenges with booking and reservations.
Indian airline IndiGo issued a travel advisory, informing passengers that increased waiting times were expected at all contact centers and airports due to their reliance on Microsoft Azure. An example of the frustration felt by travelers is evident in a post on X (formerly Twitter), where a user reported being stuck at Dubai airport for over an hour due to check-in servers being down, highlighting the lack of movement and the frustrating start to their journey. IndiGo warned that passengers should anticipate slower check-ins and longer queues.
This sentiment was echoed by other airlines like SpiceJet and KLM, which asked for passengers’ understanding in the face of delays. Akasa Airlines also announced that some of its online services would be temporarily unavailable at the Mumbai and Delhi airports. The global outage caused by Crowdstrike’s update has not only affected air travel but has also disrupted operations in banking institutions, supermarkets, media companies, and other critical sectors.
The root cause was traced back to Crowdstrike’s Falcon sensor, which led to blue screen errors and system restart and recovery loops on many computers. The cybersecurity platform’s update with Microsoft triggered these issues, and further investigation is ongoing to prevent future occurrences. The impact on travelers was vividly illustrated through social media, where users shared their experiences and frustrations.
One user, for example, tweeted about being stuck at Dubai airport, describing the situation as a frustrating start to their travel due to the check-in servers being down. In response to the widespread disruption, flydubai communicated via social media that its contact center in the United Kingdom was unavailable, while reassuring that the UAE contact center remained operational 24/7 to assist passengers. The update by cybersecurity platform Crowdstrike caused a major outage affecting Microsoft services globally, leading to severe disruptions at DXB.
The airport, one of the busiest in the world, experienced an abrupt halt in passenger movement, impacting numerous airlines and travelers. The outage has not been limited to air travel. Banking institutions, supermarkets, and media companies have also been affected, highlighting the extensive impact of the Crowdstrike update.
The issue, traced back to Crowdstrike’s Falcon sensor, caused blue screen errors and system restart loops for many computers worldwide. Currently, DXB has imposed a 48-hour capacity limit on arrivals to manage the crowding and clear the backlog of stranded passengers. While Emirates has resumed most of its operations, the airport continues to deal with the congestion caused by the disruptions.
Baggage accumulation remains an issue, with authorities working to manage the backlog despite the resumption of many flight route. Social media platforms have been flooded with passengers sharing their experiences. For example, one user on X (formerly Twitter) reported being stuck at Dubai airport for over an hour due to check-in servers being down.
Passengers have expressed their frustration over the lack of movement and information during the chaos. Passengers affected by these disruptions are advised to check their flight status through official channels like the Dubai Airports website or directly with their airlines before heading to the airport. The Dubai Airports official site provides real-time updates on arrivals and departures, helping travelers stay informed about their flight statuses.
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