A mass IT outage has been reported worldwide today (Friday, July 19) – reportedly affecting airlines, airports, the NHS, railway companies, the London Stock Exchange and media organisations.

Southern Railway, which operates trains across Sussex, said it is currently experiencing ‘widespread IT issues across our entire network’.

London Gatwick Airport has also been impacted.

According to the BBC, major banks and airlines are ‘suffering major IT outages’, whilst Sky News was not able to broadcast live this morning.

Gatwick Airport is using its backup process but some passengers 'may experience delays while checking in and passing through security'. Photo: Steve Robards SR2203283

placeholder image — Gatwick Airport is using its backup process but some passengers 'may experience delays while checking in and passing through security'. Photo: Steve Robards SR2203283

An article read: “European airline Ryanair says it's experiencing ‘potential disruptions across the network’.

"Flights have been grounded at Sydney airport, United Airlines has stopped flying, and the London Stock Exchange group’s platform is experiencing outages.

"United, Delta and American Airlines – which are all based in the United States – have issued a ‘global ground stop’ on all of their flights. Flights that are currently airborne will continue, but no further flights will take off for now.

“Berlin airport posted on X, external that is experiencing delays to check-ins due to a ‘technical fault’.

“In Spain, an ‘incident’ has been reported at all of the country's airports.”

Scroll down to see how the crisis played out and impacted Sussex.