British Airways travelers are suffering delays globally due to a computer glitch in the check-in systems, the latest in a string of technical failures to hit major international airlines.
Travelers took to social media to complain of long lines and the airline said “a number” of airports were affected.
According to tracking service Flightaware, 157 BA flights were delayed, or 17 percent of its total flights, and five were cancelled as of midday in London.
“We’ve been in line for three hours,” Erik Blangsted, told KGO-TV as he waited for his flight at San Francisco International Airport. “We’ve talked to the people who’ve offered us some cold water and some chips — and sympathy.”
The airline apologized and said passengers are now being checked in at Heathrow and Gatwick Airports but that the process may be “a bit slower than usual.”
BA had to apologize already in July after computer glitches in check-in systems also delayed passengers. It began installing new systems last October and completed the rollout earlier this year.
The company, which is part of the International Consolidated Airlines Group SA, says it would “encourage customers to check in online before they reach the airport.”
The airline’s problems come barely a month after U.S. carrier Delta Air Lines Inc. suffered a global outage that caused it to cancel 2,300 flights, costing it $100 million in lost revenue.
A fire and failure of a piece of equipment at Delta’s Atlanta headquarters on Aug. 8 had caused a massive outage of the airline’s computer systems, leading to three days of heavy cancelations and delays.
(AP)
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2 Responses
Whether its a bunch of teenage hackers in Bulgaria or a cadre of Chinese military hackers in Bejing, what is scary is that our financial systems, transportation systems and energy infrastructure seem to be so vulnerable to attacks, no matter how much money and effort is invested to make them more secure.
No way of knowing if this was a cyber attack, a computer software glitch or some vital piece of equipment failed but #1’s point is very very valid. The massive cyber-crime gang theft of more than $1bn from more than 100 institutions in 30 countries over a period of two years 2013-5 shows just what havoc can be wreaked and $1bn can buy a lot of equipment and logistic support for terrorist groups.