BRITS have been warned of travel chaos amid a global IT outage that has seen trains and planes across the UK cancelled.

Major airports, airlines and railways have been hit by the suspected Crowdstrike issue that saw Microsoft services crash worldwide this morning.

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It comes as television channels, banks, GPs and supermarkets around the world have been rocketed by the chaos.

Cybersecurity software firm Crowdstrike say they have identified the issue behind the global outage as a flawed anti-viral update.

The firm is reportedly used by Microsoft to handle various updates to their systems.

TRAINS AFFECTED

Passengers travelling via train this morning have been warned to check their route as mass cancellations and delays spark chaos.

GTR

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has urged passengers to expect disruption due to “widespread IT issues”.

The parent company of Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express and Great Northern issued the alert across social media.

It read: “We are currently experiencing widespread IT issues across our entire network.

“Our IT teams are actively investigating to determine the root cause of the problem.

“We are unable to access driver diagrams at certain locations, leading to potential short-notice cancellations, particularly on the Thameslink and Great Northern networks.

“Additionally, other key systems, including our real-time customer information platforms, are also affected.

“We will provide additional updates when we can. In the meantime, please regularly check your journey before you travel.”

Gatwick Express

Gatwick Express also warned travellers they are “currently experiencing widespread IT issues” across the entire network.

South Western Railway

Meanwhile, South Western Railway confirmed there will be major disruption for their passengers too.

“Due to IT issues across the South Western Railway network all ticket vending machines are currently non operational,” a message read on X.

“Please purchase your ticket online, on the train or speak to a member of station staff.

“We apologise for the inconvenience this causes.”

National Rail

National Rail has now warned to expect cancellations and delays over the “network wide” IT chaos.

In a post on National Rail’s website, the company said: “There are currently widespread IT issues across the entire network.

“IT teams are investigating to determine the root cause of the problem.

“As a result, some train operators are unable to access driver diagrams at certain locations, leading to potential short-notice train cancellations.

“Additional, other key systems including real-time customer information platforms, are also affected.”

Transpennine Express

The company issued a statement on X this morning.

It read: “Please be aware that some TPE stations and systems are having IT issues.

“Please purchase tickets on board if you are unable to do so in stations.”

AIRLINES AND AIRPORTS

A host of major airports across the UK have reported issues this morning.

Ryanair

Ryanair has now warned of “potential disruptions across the network”.

In a statement, the airline said: “Potential disruptions across the network (Fri 19 July) due to a global 3rd party system outage.

“Affected passengers will be notified and any passengers travelling across the network on Fri 19 July should check their Ryanair app for the latest updates on their flight.

“We advise passengers to arrive at the airport 3 hours in advance of their flight to avoid any disruptions.

“We regret any inconvenience caused to passengers by this 3rd party IT issue, which is outside of Ryanair’s control and affects all airlines operating across the network.”

Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport has said the IT outage is only affecting Swissport, who handle some ground work for a few airlines.

Holidaymakers are still being checked-in manually which means delays for those travelling on flights supplied by Swissport.

A Manchester Airport spokesman confirmed passengers don’t need to change arrangements and “we don’t want people thinking they need to come to the airport earlier because that can cause overcrowding”. 

London Gatwick

London Gatwick has since stated they have been affected by the global issue.

In a statement, the airport said: “We are affected by the global Microsoft issues, so passengers may experience some delays while checking in and passing through security.

“Passengers should still arrive for their normal check-in time. We apologise for any inconvenience and are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”

London Stanstead

Elsewhere, London Stansted Airport said that some airline check-in services are being done manually.

A spokesperson confirmed: “Some retail payment machine services have been impacted, and some airline check-in services reverted to being done manually, but our main operational systems are unaffected and flights are still operating as normal.”

Edinburgh Airport

And, Edinburgh Airport has also reported issues caused by the global crash.

Posting on its official X account, the airport said: “An IT system outage means wait times are longer than usual at the airport.

“This outage is affecting many other businesses, including airports. Work is ongoing to resolve this and our teams are on hand to assist where we can. Passengers are thanked for their patience.”

GP SURGERIES

GP surgeries have confirmed they are now unable to access patient records or book appointments.

Practices have taken to social media to report they cannot access the EMIS Web system.

EMIS Web is the most widely used clinical system for primary care in the UK.

Cheshire

The Wilmslow Health Centre in Cheshire wrote on X: “All practices in the UK using the NHS commissioned GP computer system EMIS are currently without access to their IT systems.

“This is beyond the control of GP surgeries. Please bear with us until we have our IT systems back online.”

West Midlands

Solihull Healthcare Partnership in the West Midlands said there is a “national issue” with EMIS Web.

It said on X: “Unfortunately there is a national issue with EMIS Web – our clinical computer system.

“This will affect our ability to book/consult with patients this morning.

“We will update patients when we can. We apologise for the disruption.”

Other GP surgeries hit by the outage have said the issue “will have a big effect”.

Cumbria

Central Lakes Medical Group in Ambleside wrote on X: “We’re impacted by the IT outage.

“This will have a big effect on us, so apologies in advance for the inconvenience caused, and delays on the phone.”

Yorkshire

Another post by Pocklington Group Practice in the East Riding of Yorkshire said: “Due to ongoing Windows issues affecting IT worldwide, the practice is currently unable to function as normal.

“This may result in appointments needing to be cancelled and rearranged. Updates will follow when available.”

It comes as Sky News was also this morning knocked off the air completely, with the outlet airing archive footage instead.

The Friday breakfast show was cancelled as baffled viewers say a statement “apologising” for disruption flash up on their screens.

Customers trying to access their banks this morning have also found they are locked out due to the IT problem.

Concerning reports further confirmed the outage has affected the London Stock Exchange – although it is still running.

GLOBAL CHAOS

It comes as all American Airlines flights have been grounded across the pond due to the major outage.

Meanwhile, airborne flights are set to remain circling in airspace above until the issue has been resolved, confirmed the Federal Aviation Agency.

And, other major airlines United and Delta have stated no flights will be taking off.

In worrying reports, emergency service lines in the Unites States are understood to be affected.

There have been claims that 911 emergency lines are down in several states including Arizona, Indiana, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Ohio and Alaska.

Various Microsoft services in Japan and New Zealand are also battling tech issues this morning.

Elsewhere, Mumbai Airport is the latest to fall victim to the outage, which has seen check-in desks shut down for IndiGo, Akasa and Spice Jet flights.

Australian banks and supermarkets have now reported checkouts going down after being hit by the IT outage.

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