Nine flights from Kochi and two Indigo flights from Thiruvananthapuram airports are delayed on Saturday (July 20) following Friday's Microsoft outage. The airports said that the cancellations are due to the backlog of yesterday's outage and the check-in systems of affected airlines have come back to normal on Friday. Similar delays have been reported from airports across India and abroad. Flights are getting delayed by more than an hour at Delhi airport.
On Friday, over 200 flights were cancelled by Indigo airlines. The airline also noted that the option to rebook or claim a refund is temporarily unavailable. "We kindly ask you to check your flight status before heading to the airport. We sincerely thank you for your continued support," Indigo said on X. The airline is also advising customers to opt for a 'plan B' by visiting their website though many commented on X that the section is not working. Meanwhile, Spicejet reported zero cancellations cancellations due to the outage. India Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said on Saturday that the backlog is expected to be cleared today and that regular operations have resumed at all Indian airports.
What should flyers do?
If you are a flyer whose plans are affected by the Microsoft outage, explore the following options:
1) All affected airlines are giving various options like rescheduling, refund and more for flyers. Check what option suits you by visiting their website or app.
2) Check your flight status before leaving for the airport, to be updated on possible delays or cancellations. Check your airline's app for the latest information on the flight status. Also, check how early the airline wants you to arrive at the airport, as some carriers are demanding passengers to arrive much in advance.
3) Seek the airline's help via its social media page. Many airlines are helping passengers address their specific concerns via their social media platforms as well.
4) Try alternative arrangements through airlines which are least affected by the outage.