Major Global IT Outage Grounds Flights, Hits Banks And Businesses
A massive IT outage has disrupted industries worldwide, affecting airlines, banks, shops, and broadcasters. The problem was traced back to a “defect found in a single content update for Windows,” according to cybersecurity company CrowdStrike.
Rep. Eric Swalwell, a member of the House subcommittee on cybersecurity, reported that major U.S. airlines, including United, American, and Delta, have grounded flights, leading to global delays. While Microsoft has issued a fix, issues persist, with the infamous “Blue Screen of Death” appearing on public screens across the U.S. and beyond.
In Alaska, State Troopers reported that 911 services were down across the state, highlighting the widespread impact of the outage.
The Blue Screen of Death, a dreaded sight for computer users for over 30 years, returned to screens worldwide, from Macy’s flagship store in New York City to airports in India. This Microsoft Windows error screen signals a system crash, causing significant disruption.
CrowdStrike confirmed that the issue stemmed from a defective content update for Windows, not a cyberattack. The company assured that a fix had been deployed, and efforts are ongoing to restore normalcy. CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz emphasized that this was not a “security or cyber incident” and that customer information remains protected. “We are working with all impacted customers to ensure that systems are back up and they can deliver the services their customers are counting on,” Kurtz stated. He promised updates via his X account, LinkedIn, and the CrowdStrike website.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) acknowledged reports of the systems outage and its impact on services, including 911. “We’re working closely with other federal agencies to provide assistance and determine the extent of these service disruptions,” the FAA said.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg addressed the situation on CNBC, stating that the Department of Transportation is tracking the impacts on various forms of transportation. He reminded airlines of their responsibilities to passengers facing major delays. Buttigieg confirmed that public transit systems are operating normally, though some websites and ticketing systems may experience minor problems. “This wasn’t a cyberattack,” he reiterated, adding that the agency will continue working with infrastructure and transportation providers to ensure robust cyber defenses.
The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) is closely monitoring the global IT outage affecting nationwide air travel. The CDA is collaborating with federal and airline partners at O’Hare and Midway International Airports to restore operations swiftly. Passengers flying out of Chicago are encouraged to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
