Delays for airline passengers in TN after global IT outage

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ( WATE ) — Flights are reportedly delayed in Knoxville after a global technical outage disrupted airlines, banks, businesses, governments, hospitals and media outlets early Friday.

McGhee Tyson Airport shared the following update on its website Friday morning:

“July 19, 7:30am Update: The FAA has issued a total ground stop. Please note: our website arrivals and departures information is not working at this time. If you’re traveling today, please contact your airline directly.”

WATE 6 has reached out to McGhee Tyson Airport for comment.

A report from The Associated Press said Friday that cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike said the issue believed to be behind the outage was not a security incident or cyberattack — and that a fix was on the way. The company said the problem occurred when it deployed a faulty update to computers running Microsoft Windows.

The Federal Aviation Administration stated Friday morning on its social media that it was “closely monitoring a technical issue impacting IT systems at U.S. airlines.”

“Several airlines have requested FAA assistance with ground stops until the issue is resolved,” the FAA shared on X just before 6 a.m.

Over in Nashville, BNA said on its social media early Friday that the FAA issued a ground stop due to the IT outage, and flight passengers were encouraged to contact their airline before arriving at BNA, and added, “the airport remains operational.”

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