Microsoft users around the world report widespread outages

Banks, airlines, TV stations and health systems in countries around the world that rely on Microsoft’s 365 apps reported widespread outages Friday. Thousands of flights and train services were cancelled in the U.S. and Europe, and there were disruptions to many other public and retail services.

Microsoft 365 said on social media that it was “investigating an issue impacting users ability to access various Microsoft 365 apps and services” and that things were improving as the company worked to “reroute the affected traffic to healthy infrastructure.”

American Airlines, Delta and United Airlines said all pending flight departures were grounded. American Airlines said this was due to “a technical issue with CrowdStrike” that it said was impacting multiple airlines, and that the company was in contact with its planes currently in flight.

CrowdStrike is a global cybersecurity firm. When the Reuters news agency called CrowdStrike’s technical support line on Friday, a pre-recorded message said the company was aware of reports of crashes on Microsoft systems related to its Falcon sensor. CBS News reached out to CrowdStrike for comment but has not yet received a reply.

In Europe, Lufthansa and SAS Airlines reported disruptions. Switzerland’s largest airport, in Zurich, said planes were not being allowed to land, according to CBS News partner network BBC News.

Hospitals in Germany said they were cancelling elective surgeries on Friday, and doctors in the U.K. said they were having issues accessing their online booking system.

Britain’s Sky News and the BBC’s TV network aimed at children were both off the air on Friday.

This is a developing news story and will be updated.