'Bedlam': Grounded flights and check-in chaos at airports all over Europe due to major IT outage

A major outage on IT systems worldwide has led to widespread problems for travellers during the busy summer season.

Airlines, airports, media companies as well as other types of businesses have been affected.

Here's what we know so far about its impact on European travel.

More than 1,400 flights have been cancelled around the world today so far, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.

This figure - currently 1,400 - will only get bigger as the knock-on impacts grow.

The firm also says today was set to be the busiest day for UK flight departures so far this year, with more than 3,200 departures scheduled – the highest number of daily departures since October 2019.

Read our full guide on whether you will or won't be able to claim back compensation.

If you are due to fly today, our advice is:

- Check your airline and airport's websites and apps before you leave for the airport and follow any advice given

- Airline and airport social media channels are also a good source of up-to-date information

- If it looks like your flight will still be departing, arrive at the airport the usual two hours in advance, unless your airline or airport has advised otherwise - arriving more than two hours ahead could add to existing queues

- Take water and snacks with you to the airport, especially if you are travelling with children or elderly people, in case of long queues or other delays

- Make sure to have a phone charger with you, ideally one that doesn't need to be plugged in, so that you can keep up to date on the latest information

- Queues at security points have a tendency to get longer during this kind of situation. So make sure your hand luggage doesn't have any prohibited items in it to ensure you don't add to the problem

Ryanair's