Acsa has announced that it is not affected by the reported global Microsoft outage linked to cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike that is impacting numerous organisations, including some airlines, around the world.
Acsa says it does not use CrowdStrike services and has assured all stakeholders and the public that its airport network remains unaffected by this outage with operations running as normal.
“Acsa relies on cutting-edge, state-of-the-art cyber protection capabilities to ensure the security and continuity of operations. Our robust cybersecurity measures are designed to safeguard against a wide range of threats, ensuring seamless functioning of our critical infrastructure."
“We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of cybersecurity and operational excellence. Nevertheless, our airport management team continues to monitor the situation closely,” the airport company said in a statement.
Acsa encouraged travellers and agents to contact the relevant airlines for further flight information. It also points out that downloading the Acsa Mobile App and subscribing for live flight notifications should give a clear picture of delayed or cancelled flights.
Mopping up ops begin
Meanwhile, mopping up operations have begun after airlines and airports around the world experienced chaotic disruption with a major Microsoft technical outage as Friday, July 19 dawned.
Banks, retail stores and offices in every sector were affected, including GDSs Amadeus and Travelport. Several sectors appear to be recovering or have recovered, but some airport and airline schedules have been thrown out of kilter for Saturday, July 20.
The cause of the outage appears to have been linked to Microsoft and anti-cybercrime software provider, Crowdstrike. Microsoft named it as a technical issue rather than a cyber incident.
Media are now reporting that it was a gremlin in a software update which ignited global chaos as computers crashed in shops, airlines, airports, shops, banks and hospitals. Several media report this as the most serious IT outage the world has ever seen and have named it the “digital pandemic”, and said it shows the dangers that individuals and businesses are exposed to by the cashless economy.
IT experts have voiced their opinions on the fix, saying it was expected that putting things right would take some time as each computer which received the faulty update would have to be individually addressed. 4
The Telegraph reported on Saturday that it was expected that 200 000 Britons would have their holidays disrupted with airline delays or cancellations. It said that expectations were that the disruptions would last well into this week as airlines struggle to get aircraft and crew back into position for the schedules to normalise.
Major US carriers including Delta Airlines, United Airlines and American Airlines had to issue ground stops, citing communication issues, reported Reuters. On Saturday July 20, Delta and United were still recovering. Delta had to cancel 600 flights on Saturday, July 20.
UK airports Heathrow and Gatwick reported issues and warned of delays and disruptions.
Other airports and airlines worldwide were also affected, with Spain, Germany, Ireland, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and the Netherlands all reporting flight disruptions linked to the IT meltdown.
