Technical outage disrupts Blue Islands check-in processes

On April 8, 2025, two airlines operating in the Channel Islands, Aurigny and Blue Islands, experienced significant disruptions due to a global technical outage affecting their departure control systems. Passengers at Guernsey and Jersey airports had to be checked in manually, resulting in delays and longer wait times at the airport. The airlines informed passengers to arrive earlier than usual and carry necessary identification and booking references to facilitate check-in. The ongoing issues stemmed from a software provider's malfunction that impacted multiple airlines around the world. While Aurigny managed to restore its systems the following morning, Blue Islands continued to struggle with the technical difficulties and had to rely on manual check-in processes for its flights. Though flights remained unaffected, customers were advised against using the airlines' websites or call centres until the systems were back up and running. The situation raised concerns among passengers about the reliability of airline services during technical failures. Both airlines expressed gratitude towards their customers for their patience and understanding during this challenging time. The ongoing disruption highlighted the vulnerabilities airlines face in their operational systems, especially when relying on external software providers. As the technology landscape continues to evolve, the impact of such outages can have cascading effects on customer confidence and operational efficiency. It serves as a reminder to not only airlines but also to the industry as a whole, to bolster their systems against unforeseen technical issues and improve their crisis management strategies for a smoother travel experience.