Global IT Outage Disrupts Air Travel in EU: Discover Your Eligibility for Compensation
Key Takeaways
1. A global outage on Microsoft systems has caused travel chaos across Europe and the world.
2. It's currently unclear if passengers affected by the outage are eligible for compensation.
3. Numerous flights have been cancelled and delayed by several airlines.
A widespread outage of Microsoft systems has led to global travel disruptions, particularly affecting European air travel. The IT outage has impacted multiple systems relying on Microsoft, grounding numerous flights and causing extensive delays and long queues at airports.
While the cause of the outage remains unknown, Microsoft is reportedly taking all necessary measures to address the issue. Passengers scheduled to fly today and until systems are restored are advised to check their airline’s website and social media for the latest updates.
Passengers are also recommended to arrive at the airport at least two hours before their flight to avoid long queues unless advised otherwise by their airline or airport. Those traveling with children or the elderly should bring water and refreshments in case of delays.
KLM Suspends Operations While Lufthansa Is Less Affected
KLM is among the European airlines most severely impacted by the IT outage. In an official statement on its X account, KLM announced that it is working to resolve the issue but must largely suspend operations in the meantime.
"We realise that this is very inconvenient for our customers and staff, particularly in the midst of the summer holiday season. We’re working hard to resolve the problem. Until then, we will have to largely suspend operations." – KLM
In contrast, Lufthansa has experienced fewer disruptions, with only a few delays and cancellations reported today, according to Euronews. Ryanair and Vueling have also issued recommendations for passengers. Ryanair advises passengers to arrive at the airport at least three hours before departure, while Vueling has informed passengers that flights may be altered, with affected passengers receiving email notifications.
Are You Entitled to Claim Compensation If Your Flight Is Cancelled or Delayed Due to IT Outage?
The eligibility for passenger compensation in such cases is still unclear due to the complexity of the situation. Under current EU law, passengers whose flight is cancelled or delayed for more than three hours are typically eligible for a full refund and sometimes compensation. However, exceptions apply when delays or cancellations are beyond the airline’s control.
Given that airlines are not responsible for this IT outage, it remains to be seen what the exact compensation rights will be for affected passengers.