Global technical outage leads to local outrage at DMV airports

DULLES, Va. — A global outage led to local outrage at the three major airports in the DMV region.

A faulty CrowdStrike software update led to the delay of hundreds of flights and dozens others were cancelled at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Reagan National Airport (DCA). 

Friday afternoon, 250 flights had been delayed at BWI and nearly 30 were canceled, according to the flight tracker FlightAware.

The same website had IAD with 300 flight delays and over 90 cancellations. DCA was at over 290 delays and close to 100 cancellations.

Despite the interruptions, the Transportation Security Administration reported no issues while screening passengers. 

Delta, United, and American Airlines reported that they were all impacted by the system outage.

At BWI, the Delta counter had the longest lines with frustrated passengers waiting since the early morning. "Why are we still standing here for eight hours? We are not even close to the counter," a frustrated Tina Becker said. She told WUSA9 she was heading to a cruise to Hawaii but was unsure if she would make it.

"I am sorry, three people behind the counter when you've got hundreds of people standing in line is not doing your best," Becker added. 

"Look at this disaster; this is a nightmare," Canadian national Laura told WUSA9. She was in the U.S. with her daughter Matilda after receiving surgery for her cancer diagnosis. "My husband is waiting for me, Frasier, my mother is waiting. I am dying to get home to my cat Salem," she added.

Low-cost airlines like Spirit also faced disruptions. At BWI Spirit's kiosks were all out of service and at some point, attendants were handwriting tickets for passengers. 

At IAD, airport employees said the morning was chaotic with the majority of the issues at the United Airlines counter.

The board was lit up with delays, some just a couple minutes, others by several hours. The Federal Aviation Administration reported an over six-hour delay for flights departing IAD headed to Atlanta's airport. 

All three of the major airports said they were working with the impacted airlines and were reminding passengers to check the status of their flights before arriving at the airport. 

Some passengers say the ripple effects of the outage will be felt throughout the weekend as people try to make it to their destinations.