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Airline customers have been hit with major disruption after computer check-in systems failed across the globe.
Frustrated passengers reported problems at London Gatwick, Heathrow, Charles de Gaulle in Paris and Reagan Airport in Washington DC.
Travellers in Singapore, Zurich and Johannesburg also appeared to be affected on Thursday morning after firms using Amadeus Altea software were hit with issues.
The software is used by 125 airlines across the globe both in airports and online.
One Southwest Airlines customer, who faced delays in Washington, tweeted: “Delays for travellers on Southwest Airlines at Reagan Airport. Computers at terminals are down. Follow @drgridlock for more.”
Systems down in Gatwick just hope it’s not another #wannacry can’t check in at the mo @BBCNews @TomCLocke
— TyroneKennedy (@starkid_sc) September 28, 2017
An Air France passenger added: “@CDG @airfrance now at #CustomerService the booking system is down waiting now for more than 100 minutes.”
Alert: Whole changi airport check in system down
Hope friend won’t miss his flight
— Chin Ann (@vin_ann) September 28, 2017
A spokeswoman for Heathrow Airport told the Standard that a “small number of airlines” were experiencing “intermittent issues with their check-in desks around the world”.
Apparently @qatarairways system is down at @Melair . Hopefully not much delay pic.twitter.com/6apnLWt0Mk
— Osama Nasir (@osamanasir) September 28, 2017
She said passengers were still able to check-in at the London hub but may face delays at Terminal 2, 3 and 4.
The spokeswoman added: “We are working closely with our airlines to help resolve the issue as quickly as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.”
Anyone flying @SouthwestAir from @BWI_Airport this morning, GET HERE EARLY. All kiosks down. pic.twitter.com/4WhfPh7H2s
— AngryBird (@PoorRobin) September 28, 2017
Images posted on social media showed huge queues at check-in desks across the world following what Gatwick Airport described as an “IT glitch”.
A spokeswoman for Gatwick said airlines which used Alea software had been affected.
The airport was unable to confirm which airlines were affected but told the Telegraph around 11am: “Things are back up and running after a momentary IT glitch.”
It was not immediately clear if the issue had been resolved at all airports.
The company behind the software Amadeus confirmed it is experiencing a “network issue that is causing disruption”.
It said in a statement to the Telegraph: “Technical teams are working on the problem, services are gradually being restored.” (Evening Standard)
