Global tech outage: Flights, banks impacted after faulty update

globalnews.ca:

A global technology outage grounded flights, knocked banks and hospital systems offline and media outlets off air on Friday in a massive disruption that affected companies and services around the world and highlighted dependence on software from a handful of providers.

Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike said that the issue believed to be behind the outage was not a security incident or cyberattack — and that a fix was on the way. The company said the problem occurred when it deployed a faulty update to computers running Microsoft Windows.

But hours after the problem was first detected, the disarray continued — and escalated.

Long lines formed at airports in the U.S., Europe and Asia as airlines lost access to check-in and booking services at a time when many travelers are heading away on summer vacations. News outlets in Australia — where telecommunications were severely affected — were pushed off air for hours. Hospitals and doctor’s offices had problems with their appointment systems, while banks in South Africa and New Zealand reported outages to their payment system or websites and apps.

In Canada, Toronto Pearson International Airport said the global technology outage early Friday morning could lead to flight delays and cancellations throughout the day.

It said the outage is causing tech disruptions to some airlines and that travellers should contact their airlines directly for specific flight information.

Porter Airlines said it is cancelling its flights until 12 p.m. ET due to the outage.

Tracking service FlightAware said there have been seven cancellations and 29 delays involving WestJet flights on Friday, while Air Canada has so far seen three cancellations and 19 delays

Some athletes and spectators descending on