Microsoft service outage disrupts global electronic ticket delivery for rail operators

A large-scale Microsoft service outage has disrupted Outlook, Teams, and Copilot services, causing significant delays in electronic ticket delivery for rail operators across Europe and the United Kingdom. The outage has also impacted government systems in several countries across Asia and Europe. Microsoft reported that access to mailboxes and email processing is improving, although intermittent issues may persist for some users.

Global service disruptions and security status

The technical failure affected millions of users and impacted various sectors globally. While the outage caused widespread issues, Microsoft stated there is no evidence of a cyberattack on its infrastructure. The disruption has reached beyond corporate communications to affect essential public services. According to aktuality.sk, the outage disrupted government systems in several countries across Asia and Europe.

While the impact on various sectors has been significant, the impact on airline companies has been limited, according to kathimerini.gr. However, the rail industry has faced specific challenges regarding the automated delivery of travel documents to passengers.

Impact on European rail operators

Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko (ZSSK) reported on November 13, 2026, that passengers might face delays in receiving purchased tickets via email. To mitigate these email delivery issues, ZSSK advised customers to download tickets directly to their devices or to check the ZSSK account archive. This measure ensures that travelers have access to their documentation even when email services are unreliable.

In Greece, Hellenic Train advised passengers to save or record booking codes to ensure travel despite electronic ticket access issues, according to kathimerini.gr. This precaution allows passengers to prove their reservation even if the digital ticket does not arrive in their inbox.

Disruptions in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has also experienced significant issues with electronic ticketing due to the Microsoft outage. National Rail reported that passengers buying e-tickets after the outage began were likely affected. Several specific operators reported difficulties with their automated systems.

Great Western Railway reported that the outage affected its ability to automatically email ticket confirmations. Other operators, including Southeastern, Chiltern Railways, and London North Eastern Railway (LNER), also reported issues with emailed tickets. Chiltern Railways apologized for the inconvenience and thanked passengers for their patience while Microsoft works on a resolution.

Glossary

• Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko (ZSSK) — Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko (ZSSK) is a provider of passenger rail transport in Slovakia. It operates alongside private carriers such as RegioJet and Leo Expres.
• Hellenic Train — Hellenic Train S.A. is a private railway company in Greece. It operates passenger and freight trains on OSE lines and manages most rail services throughout the Greek railway network.
• National Rail — National Rail is a non-Transport for London commuter service. It is one of the services to which updated conditions of carriage regarding alcohol consumption do not apply.