A global software outage has significantly disrupted air cargo shipments, affecting technology systems at airlines and airports worldwide. The issue originated from a Microsoft Windows update released by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, causing widespread computer crashes. CrowdStrike has identified the problem and deployed a fix.
Major carriers like FedEx and UPS have activated contingency plans but warned of potential delays for deliveries scheduled for Friday. Freight forwarders have alerted customers about possible shipment delays due to the IT problems affecting passenger and cargo airlines. An Airforwarders Association survey indicated that about a dozen members experienced moderate to major operational disruptions.
According to FlightAware, approximately 3,600 flights globally were either canceled or delayed. Several U.S. airlines, including Delta, United, American, and Spirit, requested the Federal Aviation Administration to delay departures. American Airlines managed to resume operations by 5 a.m. ET, while United and Delta also began flying again, though they warned of ongoing disruptions as they reposition personnel and equipment.
United Cargo expects continued disruptions throughout the day, as indicated in a customer bulletin. Frontier Airlines resolved the software issue overnight but still faced 131 cancellations and 223 delays.
The outage has impeded airlines’ abilities to schedule crews, communicate, and perform essential functions. Lufthansa Cargo reported that operations at its Munich and Frankfurt hubs are mostly back to normal, although individual delays and rebookings remain possible due to ongoing vendor issues.
Ground handling agents in Europe, particularly, continue to struggle with system problems, impacting their ability to board passengers, load cargo, and service aircraft. Swiss International Airlines, though not directly affected by the IT glitch, experienced 69 regional flight cancellations due to partner disruptions. Latam Airlines and Copa Airlines also reported potential delays.
Everstream Analytics, a supply chain risk management platform, warned that localized port and airport congestion, along with cargo processing delays, could persist in the coming days. This is compounded by tight capacity on key trade lanes, with demand up 13% year over year and aircraft supply lagging.
Niall van de Wouw, Chief Airfreight Officer at Xeneta, stated, “Available capacity in the market is already limited, so airlines are going to struggle to move cargo tomorrow that should have been moved today.”
The technical issues have also affected production at major manufacturers. Mercedes-Benz announced partial production reductions at its Baden-Württemberg plant in Germany and a production halt at its Vitoria plant in Spain. Major seaports are facing disruptions as well, with extended wait times for container pickups and deliveries. The APM Terminals facility at the Port of Valencia, Spain, is currently unable to open gate doors for trucks, further exacerbating the delays.
Source:
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/global-it-outage-slows-air-cargo-shipments
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