Orlando International Airport experienced a major disruption on Friday morning due to a global technology outage that grounded flights, impacted banks, and knocked media outlets offline. Passengers described scenes of chaos and crowds at the airport as several carriers experienced issues causing delays and cancellations. The outages also affected other services in Central Florida, including the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and Florida’s Turnpike.
As of 10 p.m. Friday, Orlando Intl had reported a total of 401 delays and 106 cancellations. American Airlines and Delta were on a ground stop but have since re-established operations. United Airlines is still reportedly in a ground stop due to the outages, leading to delays for many customers. However, United has issued a waiver to make it easier for travelers to change their plans.
Some passengers, like Jakwan Barnett, were able to avoid major disruptions, while others, like Stephen Ndukwe, faced significant delays and uncertainty about their travel plans. Other airports in the area, like Orlando Sanford International Airport, also reported delays, with Allegiant Air canceling flights before 2 p.m. due to the tech issues.
The cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike clarified that the outage was not due to a security incident or cyberattack but rather an issue affecting Microsoft 365 services. The disruptions continued for several hours before gradually being resolved. The impact of the outages extended beyond airports, affecting services like Florida’s Turnpike and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in the region.
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