A major global IT outage has disrupted operations at several UK airports, including Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Luton, causing delays and manual check-in processes. The outage, which also affected the London Stock Exchange, railway stations, banks, and Sky News, is believed to be linked to a Microsoft system issue.
Gatwick Airport reported problems with check-in systems, baggage handling, and security eGates, stating: 'We are using our backup process, but some passengers may experience delays.' Edinburgh Airport warned of longer wait times, advising passengers to check flight status before travelling. London Stansted Airport confirmed that while some airline check-in services have reverted to manual, flights are still operating normally.
Ryanair advised passengers to arrive at least three hours before departure, citing a 'Global 3rd party IT outage which is out of our control.' Liverpool Airport also reported impacts on some airlines, with manual check-ins in place. A Dublin to Liverpool flight was delayed due to the issue in the Republic of Ireland.
Passengers at Gatwick reported manual security checks and cash-only payments at some retail outlets. One traveller noted that despite delays, their flight was on time but warned of potential backlogs with air traffic control. The outage has caused widespread disruption, with airlines and airports working to resolve the issue and apologising for inconvenience.
