This afternoon (July 19th), Microsoft Windows blue screen images flooded the network, causing Windows users' computers to "crash". Affected by Microsoft service interruption, the operating systems of some high-end hotels have also "crashed". On the afternoon of the 19th, hotels such as Conrad Shanghai and Hilton Garden Inn Shanghai Lujiazui Xinmei were unable to process check-in and check-out for customers due to "downtime".
As of the time of writing, Microsoft stated that the cause of the malfunction has been identified. Previously, network security software company Crowdstrike announced that it had received numerous reports of blue screens on Windows computers. Due to widespread system failures, operations of airlines, banks, and other businesses around the world have been affected.
Microsoft Windows blue screen "refresh".
A picture circulating online shows that Conrad Shanghai has issued an emergency notice, suspecting that due to a malfunction in Microsoft's data center, most hotel related operating systems in the Shanghai area are currently unable to function properly.
The Shanghai Conrad Hotel and the Shanghai Lujiazui Xinmei Hilton Garden Inn, both high-end hotels, belong to the Hilton Hotels Group. Southern Metropolis Daily reporter called Shanghai Lujiazui Xinmei Hilton Garden Inn and learned that the hotel system crash was sudden and "immediately unusable". After emergency repairs, as of the time of writing, the hotel's online platform services such as room reservations have been restored to normal.
The room price of Conrad Shanghai is in the thousands of yuan range, located in the People's Square commercial district in the center of Shanghai. According to the reporter from Nandu, normal services have been restored, but it was indeed suspended for a long time in the afternoon.
Southern Metropolis Daily reporters have noticed that the business of airlines has also been affected by the sudden interruption of Microsoft services, and many planes in the United States have been grounded. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that due to communication issues, all flights of Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines were grounded on the morning of July 19th local time. The FAA stated that the grounding involves all flights of these airlines, regardless of their destination. According to regular flight data, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines have no flights departing after 3:00 PM Beijing time.
Hong Kong International Airport announced on the afternoon of the 19th that due to a malfunction in the Microsoft system, related airline services using the system worldwide have been affected. Affected airlines at Hong Kong International Airport must switch to manual registration procedures. Flight operations have not been affected temporarily, and the airport has activated an emergency response mechanism to follow up on the situation. The Hong Kong Airport Authority urges passengers to reserve sufficient time to go to the airport to complete registration procedures and pay attention to the latest announcements.
Cathay Pacific Airways stated that as of 17:15 on July 19th, the "booking/redeeming flight services through the website and contact center" were not available, and the company's contact center is currently experiencing some technical issues. As of 17:45, Cathay Pacific Airways announced that the self-service check-in facilities located at Hong Kong International Airport have resumed operations, and the related services were temporarily suspended earlier due to a sudden problem with the technology supplier. At the same time, the facial recognition technology function of the baggage check-in facilities at Hong Kong International Airport is still unable to be used. If passengers travel with checked baggage, please reserve more time to complete the procedures.
For the affected airlines, Qunar platform responded to Southern Metropolis Daily reporters by stating that if there is a flight change in the user's booked flight, the platform will notify the user in advance and assist them in canceling or changing.