TUI Chaos: Thousands Left Stranded by Massive IT Meltdown
Europe’s travel giant TUI has plunged thousands of holidaymakers into turmoil after a huge IT outage grounded 64 flights and saw package holidays cancelled across the UK. The culprit: a faulty CrowdStrike system update that hit Manchester and Gatwick airports hardest.
Manchester Airport Bears the Brunt
The nightmare began on Friday when TUI’s crew rostering system crashed, forcing cancellations and delays that rolled through the weekend. At Manchester, passengers heading to Lanzarote woke up to last-minute cancellations, scrambling to rebook on other airlines amid mounting chaos.
One dramatic case saw travellers on a Manchester-to-Cancun flight stuck after an eight-hour delay — only to be told their flight was axed as crew hit their legal working limits. TUI then rerouted the plane to Palma de Mallorca, leaving stranded passengers fuming at the airport.
TUI Apologises, Blames Global IT Outage
TUI admitted the disruption was “beyond their control” and apologised for the “severe impact” on customers. A spokesperson said: “We understand how disappointing this would have been, especially for those already at the airport.” The company is now hustling to rebook travellers and handle returns to the UK.
The fault lies with a CrowdStrike update that malfunctioned on 8.5 million Windows devices worldwide. This IT blunder also wreaked havoc beyond travel — hitting banks, public transport, and other airlines like British Airways and easyJet, particularly at Heathrow and Gatwick.
Wider Travel Fallout & Passenger Rights
Compounding the IT mess, bad weather and strict air traffic controls in Europe added fuel to the fire, causing further delays and cancellations. Airlines are stepping up, offering accommodation, meal vouchers, and alternative travel routes following EU passenger rights laws.
With the tech meltdown ongoing, travellers are urged to check flight and holiday statuses constantly and prepare for more disruptions. Microsoft and CrowdStrike are working on fixes, but holiday plans remain at risk for now.
