'Network issue' causes global airport delays

A software issue has caused check-in delays at several airports worldwide, and booking problems for many airlines. Passengers reported problems at Gatwick, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Melbourne airports among others. Gatwick blamed a passenger management system called Amadeus Altea but said the problem had been resolved and there were no further delays. Amadeus said it experienced a "network issue" in the morning but that services were quickly restored. Several airlines use the Amadeus software to manage reservations and check-in desks. British Airways, Qantas, Southwest and Lufthansa are among its customers. Reports of delays at several airports appeared on social media at about 10:00 BST. During the disruption, Heathrow airport said: "A small number of airlines are experiencing problems across the world and we're working closely with them to solve the issue." A spokesman for Amadeus made a statement at 11:45 BST, confirming that "a network issue caused disruption to some of our systems". It said the issues had been resolved by 14:30 BST.<br/>