Delta Air Lines faced significant operational challenges on Monday, canceling hundreds of flights as it continued to deal with a fallout from a global software outage that had severely impacted its operations over the weekend.
The airline, based in Atlanta, had already canceled 1,300 flights on Sunday and delayed 1,600, with more than 3,500 flights affected since Friday. By Monday morning, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, which represents approximately 20% of its scheduled flights for the day. In contrast, American Airlines reported only 38 canceled flights and 155 delays, equating to around 5% of its operations.
The disruption was linked to a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which occurred late Thursday and adversely affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems. This incident left many corporate users, including Delta, without access to necessary systems, leading to significant operational hurdles, as many experienced the “Blue Screen of Death.”
The ripple effects of the outage extended to various sectors, including healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions, but the airline industry was particularly hard-hit. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and 5,171 were canceled, with Delta experiencing the most significant impact.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the disruptions in a statement, emphasizing that canceling flights is always a last resort. He acknowledged the frustrations faced by travelers and reiterated the airline’s commitment to service.
Bastian noted that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for various applications, including a crucial crew tracking tool that was incapacitated due to the software issues. In response to the disruptions, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change flights at no charge, as well as offering meal vouchers, accommodations, and transportation.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg indicated on social media that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation. He urged the airline to issue refunds, facilitate free rebooking, and provide timely reimbursements for food and lodging for those affected.
“No one should be stranded at an airport overnight or stuck on hold for hours waiting to talk to a customer service agent,” Buttigieg emphasized.