A global technology outage has affected various industries using global computer systems. BBC reports that a number of airports and airlines across Europe have been hit by the outage.
Al Jazeera reported the technology meltdown has been attributed to CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity firm. Flights at several airports have been grounded.
French airline KLM announced on Friday, “KLM, like other airlines and airports, has been affected by the global computer malfunction, making it impossible to handle flights. We realize that, especially given the summer vacations, this is extremely inconvenient for our customers. We are working hard to resolve the problem. For now, we are forced to suspend most of the operation.”
Berlin Brandenburg Airport has been affected by the technology crunch. “Unfortunately, some flights had to be canceled by the airlines. The airport’s systems have been restarted and we are gradually returning to normal operations.”
Delays and cancellations
Delays caused by the technology outage could see logistics companies scrambling to keep the supply chain moving. Airports and logistics companies could experience the following:
- Flights transporting cargo could be delayed or canceled, leading to disruptions in the supply chain and delivery schedules.
- Businesses relying on just-in-time inventory systems could face stock shortages, leading to production slowdowns or stoppages.
- Automated systems used for customs and cargo clearance may fail, causing delays in processing goods.
Australian airports affected
The technology malfunction is also affecting airports in Australia. Melbourne has news alerts titled “Global technology issue.”
It issued an advisory on Thursday: “Melbourne Airport is currently being affected by a global technology issue which is impacting check-in procedures for some airlines. Passengers flying with these airlines this afternoon are advised to allow a little extra time to check-in. For updates on individual flights please consult with your airline.”
The Australian logistics industry may be shaking its dead in disbelief at this latest crisis. It’s reminiscent of DP World’s cyber breach in November. The breach caused major delays in container movement.
Who is CrowdStrike?
CrowdStrike is an American cybersecurity technology company based in Austin, Texas. The company provides cloud workload protection and endpoint security, threat intelligence, and cyber attack response services.
Benefits of shipping air freight
- Speed: Companies may need stock urgently and choose air freight as it’s a much faster option than ocean freight. The Red Sea crisis may force manufacturers and store owners to look to air freight to prevent a serious shortage in their production line or store shelves.
- Reliability: Airlines run strict schedules. These schedules make it a reliable option to air freight cargo. Fresh produce is often flown via airfreight so items arrive fresh at a destination.
- Efficiency: Shipping by air freight is a great time saver. A manufacturer may need an urgent part to complete a project. Placing the item as air cargo will allow the manufacturer to save time instead of waiting a few weeks for ocean freight to arrive in port.
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About the author
Sharl is a qualified journalist. He has over 10 years’ experience in the media industry, including positions as an editor of a magazine and Business Editor of a daily newspaper. Sharl also has experience in logistics specifically operations, where he worked with global food aid organisations distributing food into Africa. Sharl enjoys writing business stories and human interest pieces.
