Image Credits - CNA
Changi Airport, renowned for its efficiency, faced chaotic scenes today as a global IT failure crippled several major airlines’ operations, leading to long queues and disgruntled passengers. The issue, which affected check-in systems and flight schedules, primarily impacted airlines utilizing a common global reservations platform.
Passengers arriving at Changi Airport Terminal 3 were greeted by unprecedented queues stretching through the terminal, exacerbated by the inability of airlines to check-in passengers manually due to the widespread nature of the outage. Frustrations ran high as travellers vented their ire on social media, describing hours-long waits and minimal communication from airline staff.
“I’ve been in line for over three hours, and we still don’t know when we can check-in,” remarked one passenger, highlighting the lack of clarity amidst the chaos. Families with young children and elderly passengers were particularly distressed, facing discomfort and uncertainty about their travel plans.
Airport authorities and affected airlines scrambled to resolve the issue, deploying additional staff to assist stranded passengers and exploring alternative methods to process check-ins manually. However, the sheer scale of the disruption meant that delays and cancellations rippled throughout the day, affecting both departing and arriving flights.
In response to the crisis, Changi Airport issued a statement urging affected passengers to check their flight statuses before heading to the airport and advising airlines to keep passengers informed of developments. Meanwhile, airport cafes and waiting areas filled quickly as passengers sought refuge while awaiting updates on their flights.
As evening approached, some semblance of order returned as airlines managed to partially restore their systems. However, the incident underscored the vulnerability of modern air travel infrastructure to widespread technical failures, leaving passengers and industry stakeholders grappling with the aftermath of the disruption.