A recent CrowdStrike update has caused a global service outage for Microsoft Windows, resulting in the notorious “Blue Screen of Death” error for many users. This disruption has left numerous computers trapped in a restart loop, affecting workflows worldwide. IndiGo is also feeling the impact of this outage but is managing to keep operations running by issuing handwritten boarding passes to passengers.
“The Microsoft / CrowdStrike outage has taken down most airports in India. I got my first hand-written boarding pass today,” tweeted X user Akshay Kothari, sharing a photo of the manually written boarding pass from IndiGo.
The image shows a boarding pass with details such as name, seat, date, and departure, all handwritten by IndiGo staff, contrasting with the usual printed version.
Here’s the full post:
The Microsoft / CrowdStrike outage has taken down most airports in India. I got my first hand-written boarding pass today 😅 pic.twitter.com/xsdnq1Pgjr
— Akshay Kothari (@akothari) July 19, 2024
How Social Media Users React:
Social media users quickly reacted to the post, with one remarking, “We are going back to the Stone Age.”
“Nice souvenir to keep,” another user commented.
A third noted, “A hand-written boarding pass? That’s like a retro throwback to the pre-digital age!”
A fourth user said, “It’s fascinating to see how reliant we’ve become on technology. This outage highlights the importance of backup systems and the resilience of human ingenuity.”
A fifth commented, “Wow! Back to pen and paper,” while a sixth added, “The jugaad we all need!”
IndiGo’s Response to the Microsoft Outage
At 12:37 pm, IndiGo released a statement addressing the technical difficulties. It stated, “Our systems across the network are impacted by an ongoing issue with Microsoft Azure, which has led to increased wait times at our contact centers and airports. You may experience slower check-ins and longer queues. We are working diligently to restore stability and normalcy. Our digital team is in close coordination with Microsoft Azure to resolve these issues quickly. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.”
The statement further noted that the outage is affecting “booking, check-in, access to boarding passes, and flights.” IndiGo advised customers to contact them only “if their travel is within 24 hours” due to “high volumes at the contact center.”
IndiGo also issued a travel advisory: “As systems are impacted globally due to ongoing issues with Microsoft Azure, we kindly request you to refrain from making multiple booking attempts during this time. We are working closely with Microsoft to resolve the issue and appreciate your patience.”
The outage has also affected other airlines, including Air India and SpiceJet, leading to flight cancellations and delays.
“Customer advisory: Our digital systems have been impacted temporarily due to the current Microsoft outage, resulting in delays. We regret the inconvenience caused and request our guests to plan their travel accordingly,” Air India stated.