Two major Philippine airlines are grappling with operational disruptions as part of a widespread technology outage affecting aviation and other industries globally on Friday, July 19, 2024. The issues stem from problems reported with Microsoft services and cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, but appear to be limited in scope within the Philippine aviation sector.
AirAsia Philippines confirmed that a global outage affecting Microsoft services, as reported by their partner Navitaire, is causing unexpected rebooting of machines. This has led to disruptions in check-in processes, self-check-in kiosks, and the functionality of the AirAsia MOVE app.
First Officer Steve Dailisan, Head of Communications and Public Affairs at AirAsia Philippines, stated, “AirAsia Philippines is closely monitoring the situation and is in constant communication with Navitaire and Microsoft. Our top priority is to minimize any impact on our guests and ensure that all systems are restored to full functionality as soon as possible.”
Cebu Pacific also reported technical issues related to technology provider CrowdStrike, which has reportedly caused a global Microsoft system outage. The airline warned passengers of potential delays as it switches to manual handling of affected processes.
“We are working closely with our teams to mitigate disruptions to our operations and will provide regular updates as the situation progresses,” Cebu Pacific said in an advisory.
However, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has confirmed that the systems at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) remain unaffected by the global tech outage. According to MIAA’s monitoring, only AirAsia and Cebu Pacific systems have encountered problems, while all other international carriers operating at NAIA are functioning normally as of now.
The impact of this tech outage extends beyond Philippine borders. Major U.S. airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Allegiant Air, implemented ground stops due to communications issues. In Europe, Spain reported a “computer incident” affecting all its airports, while Ryanair warned of potential disruptions across its network.
The outage has also affected other sectors globally. In Australia, media outlets, banks, and telecommunications companies reported service disruptions, which the Australian government linked to issues at CrowdStrike.
As the situation continues to evolve, both AirAsia and Cebu Pacific are advising passengers to stay updated through their social media platforms, official websites, and registered contact information for timely flight updates.
Passengers traveling with AirAsia or Cebu Pacific are encouraged to check with their airlines before heading to the airport and to allow extra time for potential delays in check-in and other processes. For those flying with other airlines operating at NAIA, operations appear to be proceeding normally, but staying informed about any potential changes is always advisable.
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