The worldwide IT problems have had major consequences for several industries. Several websites have been down and the problems have spread to both bus and air traffic.
Several flight departures are now canceled or postponed and some of those waiting at Arlanda airport are Ingrid Timle and Sverker Sten.
– We got up at five this morning to get here, says Ingrid Timle.
The plan was to fly to Istanbul and from there on to Kyrgyzstan, but now the first trip to Istanbul has been cancelled.
– It was a nine-day trip with a fixed schedule for all the days, so we don’t understand what will become of this, says Ingrid Timle.
And that everything was caused by a software update that has now caused IT problems all over the world, she is critical of.
– I think it’s senseless. But it is not unusual for a software update to not work later. I think our son, who writes programs, tests on a small scale before he sends out the program. But they couldn’t have done that here, says Ingrid Timle.
“Now we are the victims”
Another one waiting at Arlanda is Dominic Diezi, who was on holiday in Stockholm.
– The flight is delayed by twenty minutes, but right now it is not possible to land in Zurich, so we don’t know if we can go back today, he says.
Now Dominic Diezi is waiting together with his family for an announcement about when they can come home.
– My children are not so happy. They really want to go home so it’s not that easy for us, he says.
And that all this could be caused by an update is mind-boggling.
– Now we are the victims and we can do nothing. You have to wait and see if you can fly home or not, says Dominic Diezi.
Also at Landvetter airport, the queues pile up and Kamel Nigem stands among everyone waiting. He was to travel to London for four days.
– I was going to a cricket match tomorrow. Something I’ve been planning for the last few months, but due to delays I now have to wait for the plane.
Passengers missing information
For Kamel Nigem, it has been a long time queuing.
– I have been standing here in the queue for more than two hours now. I understand that IT issues can happen, but I’m frustrated that I was sent back and forth four times in queues. From one queue to another queue.
Now the confusion is spreading among everyone who is waiting.
– People don’t know what’s going to happen. Passengers talk to each other instead of to the staff.
And the reason is the lack of information, says Kamel Nigem.
– We have to be prepared for things like this to happen. I don’t think the airport was prepared. There was no news flash anywhere at the airport. No sign saying there is a problem going on. No statement since morning.