London, UK — Passengers at London Stansted Airport faced long queues and delays on Friday due to a global IT outage affecting multiple industries worldwide. The disruption has impacted airlines, media, banks, and healthcare services, causing a ripple effect across the globe.
Despite the IT challenges, a spokesperson for London Stansted Airport assured that flights were operating as normal. “Some check-ins and boarding processes are being carried out manually, but flights are operating as normal,” the spokesperson said.
However, they acknowledged that the terminal was busier than usual, and some retail payment machine services were affected.
Photographs supplied to the media showed long queues at the check-in area, with some airlines reverting to manual check-ins.
The spokesperson added, “The majority of flights operating from the airport are unaffected, but the terminal is slightly busier than usual as a result of the situation.” Passengers were advised to check with their airlines before leaving home to ensure smooth travel plans.
Ryanair, one of the major airlines operating from Stansted, advised its passengers to arrive at the airport three hours before their scheduled departure time to accommodate the delays caused by the manual processes.
The IT outage extended beyond the airport, affecting rail services as well. Greater Anglia reported that some of its stations experienced issues with electronic ticket gates, advising customers to allow extra time for their journeys.
Meanwhile, c2c services continued to operate normally, though the operator faced difficulties with its mobile app.
In the healthcare sector, the outage disrupted EMIS Web, a system used by GPs to manage appointments, conduct consultations, and handle patient records.
Great Bentley Surgery in Tendring announced on Facebook that it was unable to access patient records, medications, test results, and prescriptions, severely limiting its ability to conduct consultations. The surgery assured patients that they could still attend appointments but warned of very limited services.
An NHS spokesperson confirmed the widespread impact on GP practices, stating, “The NHS has long-standing measures in place to manage the disruption, including using paper patient records and handwritten prescriptions, and the usual phone systems to contact your GP.”
They added that there was no known impact on emergency services, and patients should use 999 and 111 services as usual. Patients were advised to attend appointments unless instructed otherwise and to contact their GP only in urgent situations.
The IT outage also affected other sectors. Essex and Suffolk Water reported system issues, urging customers to contact them only in emergencies. Colchester Zoo faced problems with card payments at its admission tills and within the zoo, recommending that visitors purchase tickets online and bring cash.
As the global IT outage continues to unfold, the extent of its impact remains uncertain. Organizations across various industries are working to restore normal operations and minimize disruptions.
Passengers and customers are advised to stay informed through official channels and prepare for potential delays and inconveniences.
A Global Issue
The source of the IT outage has not been confirmed, but its widespread impact underscores the interconnected nature of modern digital infrastructure. Authorities and service providers are investigating the root cause and working to resolve the issues promptly.
Meanwhile, affected sectors are implementing contingency plans to ensure continuity and maintain service levels as much as possible.
For now, patience and preparation are key as the global IT landscape navigates this unprecedented disruption.