A widespread cyber incident has disrupted flight operations across worldwide, affecting at least two local airlines and causing flight cancellations and delays.
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) reported that the disruption is linked to issues with CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity provider used by some airlines.
As of 4 p.m. local time on July 19, 2024, international carriers at NAIA remained unaffected, according to the MIAA advisory. However, Cebu Pacific, one of the Philippines’ largest low-cost carriers, announced the cancellation of numerous domestic and international flights scheduled for July 19 and 20.
The budget airline has canceled at least 34 flights scheduled for July 19 and 2 flights scheduled for July 20, affecting routes across the Philippines, as well as international destinations such as China, Vietnam, and Taiwan.
Cebu Pacific advised affected passengers not to proceed to the airport at this time to reduce congestion. The airline is offering flexible options, including free rebooking and travel fund, for passengers with flights scheduled up to July 21, 2024.
In a public service advisory, AirAsia Philippines announced that it was also facing issues on its check-in processes and the AirAsia MOVE app. It cited “unexpected rebooting of machines” as the main cause of the disruption.
Meanwhile, Philippine Airlines Spokesperson Cielo Villaluna told AUP that the flag carrier is not affected by the cyber incident.
CrowdStrike confirmed on Friday that it had identified widespread instances of “Blue Screen of Death” errors on Windows hosts, indicating system crashes on Microsoft’s Windows operating system. This global cyber disruption is reportedly impacting critical services, including flights, banking, and company operations in various countries such as Singapore, the United States, and Australia.
In response to the situation, MIAA General Manager Eric Jose Ines has directed all terminal managers to closely monitor developments and provide necessary assistance. The airport authority has mobilized additional staff to manage extended queues at check-in counters and will distribute “Malasakit Kits” to affected passengers.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) reported congestion at Davao International Airport due to the system issues affecting Cebu Pacific. CAAP has activated irregular operations protocols and is coordinating with airlines, the PNP Aviation Security Group, and the Office for Transportation Security to manage the situation.
Other airports, such as Bicol International Airport, are also experiencing flight delays due to the Microsoft-related issues and other factors, according to CAAP.
Passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines for flight status updates and further information.
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