Microsoft said that it is aware of the issue affecting Windows devices due to an update from a third-party software platform.
Published Jul 19, 2024 | 3:55 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 19, 2024 | 3:55 PM
Microsoft logo. (iStock)
Microsoft users globally, several in India, have reported massive outages in services, with outage tracking website Downdetector showing users flagging disruptions across various services.
The outage disrupted flights, banks, media outlets and companies around the world on Friday, 19 July.
Escalating disruptions continued hours after the technology company said it was gradually fixing an issue affecting access to Microsoft 365 apps and services.
Meanwhile, CERT-In in an advisory said the Microsoft outage was caused by Crowdstrike update, and rated its severity as “critical”.
The advisory comes amid a massive outage faced by Microsoft users globally, and widespread reports of disruptions in international airlines, banks and media outlets.
“It has been reported that Windows hosts related to Crowdstrike agent ‘Falcon Sensor’ are facing outages and getting crashed due to recent update received in the product. The concerned Windows hosts are experiencing a ‘Blue Screen of Death (BSOD)’ related to Falcon Sensor,” the CERT-In advisory said.
Microsoft said that it is aware of the issue affecting Windows devices due to an update from a third-party software platform.
A Microsoft spokesperson said: “We anticipate a resolution is forthcoming”.
“We’re aware of an issue affecting Windows devices due to an update from a third-party software platform,” the spokesperson said.
Airport and airline operations faced significant disruptions, with airlines issuing advisories to passengers.
The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, run by GMR group, put out an advisory saying that due to the global IT outage, the services of some airlines have been impacted.
Airport sources said that as many as 23 flights — 12 departures and 11 arrivals — including Indigo’s flights to Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru have been cancelled.
“We are closely working with all our stakeholders to minimise the inconvenience to our flyers. You may please get in touch with the airline concerned for updates on your flight information. We thank you for your support and understanding,” the airport said in a post on social media platform X.
Advisory: Due to the global IT outage, services of airlines have been impacted.
We are closely working with all our stakeholders to minimise the inconvenience to our flyers.
You may please get in touch with the airline concerned for updates on your flight information.
We…
— RGIA Hyderabad (@RGIAHyd) July 19, 2024
Indigo, Air India Express, SpiceJet, and Akasa at Bengaluru airport began checking in passengers manually on Friday and issuing handwritten boarding passes after a global Microsoft outage that led to the Navitaire Departure Control System stalling.
Passengers at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru had a harrowing time following the disruption in flight services and were seen anxiously waiting for their delayed flights. The lounge of the KIA was overcrowded due to the disruption of flight services.
“A global outage with the Navitaire Departure Control System (NDCS) has been affecting operations of some airlines across their network, including BLR Airport since 10.40 IST on 19 July, 2024,” a Bangalore International Airport Limited spokesperson said in a statement.
Indigo, Akasa, and SpiceJet in Terminal-1 and Air India Express in Terminal-2 are among the affected airlines, BIAL said, adding that the Common Use Terminal Equipment (CUTE) and Common Use Self Service (CUSS) systems are also experiencing disruptions.
“In response to this situation, Indigo, Air India Express, SpiceJet and Akasa have taken proactive measures by initiating manual check-ins to ensure minimal disruption to passengers and flight schedules,” the spokesperson said.
IndiGo, SpiceJet and Akasa saw disruptions in their online check-in and boarding processes across their networks, forcing them to switch to manual mode.
“Our systems are currently impacted by a Microsoft outage, which is also affecting other companies. During this time booking, check-in, access to your boarding pass, and some flights may be impacted,” IndiGo said in an update on X.
“We are all hands-on decks and are working to restore stability and normalcy. Our digital team is also coordinating closely with Microsoft Azure to resolve these issues swiftly,” it stated.
This system outage has a global impact and we truly regret the inconvenience caused. We assure you that our teams are working relentlessly to ensure safe travels.
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) July 19, 2024
Budget carrier Akasa said: “Due to infrastructure issues with our service provider, some of our online services, including booking, check-in and manage booking services will be temporarily unavailable. Currently, we are following manual check-in and boarding processes at the airports,”
The airline requested its passengers with immediate travel plans to reach the airport early to check in, as a precautionary measure.
SpiceJet also said it is currently experiencing technical challenges with its service provider, affecting online services including booking, check-in, and managing booking functionalities.
“As a result, we have activated manual check-in and boarding processes across airports,” it stated.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the IT ministry is in touch with Microsoft regarding the global outage and that the NIC network is not affected.
In a post on X, the IT minister said the reason for this outage has been identified and updates have been released to resolve the issue.
“MEITY is in touch with Microsoft and its associates regarding the global outage… NIC network is not affected,” the minister said.
The country’s leading stock exchanges NSE and BSE on Friday said they are not impacted due to the global outage of Microsoft systems amid reports of disruptions in the functioning of several airlines, banks, and media outlets worldwide.
The two leading Indian stock exchanges announced that they are not impacted by the Microsoft outage.
“NSE (National Stock Exchange) and NCL (NSE Clearing Ltd) are working normally today,” NSE’s spokesperson said in a statement.
Separately, a spokesperson of BSE said that the bourse is “not impacted due to Microsoft issue. Our operations are running normally.”
The country’s largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) on Friday said its systems are unaffected by the Microsoft global outage.
“We are all fine,” its chairman Dinesh Khara told PTI when asked about the impact of the global outage.
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula with PTI inputs)
(South First is now on WhatsApp and Telegram)
