International flights departing from Accra, Ghana, have been affected by a global software disruption on Friday, July 19. The issue has impacted Microsoft-based computer systems used by several airlines for their flight operations and scheduling.
United Airlines, one of the affected carriers, issued a statement to its customers in Ghana, explaining that a third-party software outage has impacted computer systems worldwide. The airline announced it is resuming some flights but expects schedule disruptions to continue throughout Friday. United has issued a waiver to facilitate easier travel plan changes for customers through their website or mobile app.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has also addressed the situation, alerting travelers that the disruption is beyond the control of airline companies. IATA stated that air transport is among many industries affected by the worldwide IT issues involving Microsoft and Crowdstrike.
IATA expressed sympathy for travelers facing disruptions and thanked them for their patience as Microsoft and Crowdstrike work on deploying solutions. The association emphasized that these issues are outside of airlines’ control.
As the situation develops, passengers with international flights scheduled from Accra are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates on their travel plans.