A significant IT outage at Edinburgh Airport on December 15, 2024, brought flight operations to a standstill, causing widespread disruption for travelers. The incident impacted air traffic control systems throughout the afternoon, leading to numerous flight delays and cancellations. Edinburgh Airport initially announced the issue early afternoon via its social media channels. It stated: “Due to to an IT issue with Air Traffic Control, no flights are currently taking off or landing. Engineers are working to resolve the issue.”
Passengers were advised to check their flight status with their respective airlines before heading to the airport. An update was expected to be provided around 4:30 PM, but operations did not resume until later in the evening. By the time the outage was resolved, it had caused significant chaos among travelers, with many stuck on planes for over three hours.
The IT disruption led to flights being grounded for approximately four hours on Sunday afternoon. Many inbound flights were diverted to alternate airports, including Glasgow, Manchester, and Newcastle. Around 18 flights to various European destinations were cancelled outright due to the extended outage.
Travelers expressed frustration as long queues formed at check-in desks, security checkpoints, and boarding gates. The chaotic situation left many passengers without clear information about their delayed or canceled flights. Some missed important appointments, and others faced uncertainty about their entire travel plans. Social media platforms flooded with posts from affected individuals, sharing their experiences and seeking updates.
Edinburgh Airport officials mobilized teams to address the IT problems immediately. Technical experts worked to identify the root cause of the issue and implement solutions. Throughout the process, the airport's website and social media channels were regularly updated to keep passengers informed. Despite these efforts, it took hours before the airport could return to normal operations.
The exact nature of the IT failure is still under investigation. Experts indicate such outages may be tied to aging air traffic systems. Legacy systems can be prone to failures and might not work seamlessly with newer technologies. Cyberattacks are another growing concern, targeting vulnerabilities within airport and airline systems, which can lead to costly operational disruptions.
This latest incident at Edinburgh Airport adds to previous IT-related failures within the aviation sector, calling attention to the industry’s urgent need for technological upgrades. Indeed, it highlights the risks associated with the reliance on technology for ferrying passengers safely and efficiently.
Many passengers, who were waiting for their flights or stuck on planes during the outage, have voiced their frustrations. One passenger, who was to fly from Geneva to Edinburgh, described the situation onboard as “stuck on the tarmac for three and a half hours.” She noted: “Once we were all onboard and doors shut, the pilot announced there was an issue.” She expressed her appreciation for the airline crew, who were attempting to make the situation more comfortable for everyone on board. “The staff on the flight have been amazing, offering water and snacks to everyone,” she said.
Another passenger noted how the delays caused significant disruptions with connecting flights, raising anxieties among those with tight schedules. “Some people have connecting flights to catch, so the general mood here is very tense,” said Andrea Racekova, who was one of the affected passengers from Shetland. She, like many others, spent hours waiting for updates, feeling the strain of uncertainty.
Just before 7 PM, the airport announced on X: “The IT issue affecting Air Traffic Control has now been resolved and flights have now resumed. Passengers should continue to check their flight status with their airline before travelling to the airport. We would like to thank passengers for their patience and understand.”
With over 14 flights cancelled by 6 PM and the airport expecting to see 303 flights throughout the day, it is clear the outage had wide-ranging impacts. Airlines such as Loganair confirmed their awareness of the situation, urging travelers to stay connected with their ground teams for assistance.
This latest incident serves as yet another reminder of the aviation industry's vulnerabilities, highlighting how dependent it is on functioning IT systems and the cascading effects when these systems fail. Engulfed by this uncertainty, travelers are left seeking answers and reassurance as they navigate through the extensive fallout of this technological disruption.
