Delta Air Lines has canceled hundreds of flights as it continues to recover from a global software outage that caused widespread disruptions in air travel over the weekend. The Atlanta-based airline reported canceling 1,300 flights and delaying 1,600 on Sunday alone, with more than 3,500 cancellations occurring between Friday and Saturday.
As of Monday morning, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, which accounts for about 20% of its planned operations. In contrast, American Airlines reported only 38 cancellations and 155 delays, roughly 5% of its scheduled flights.
The problems arose from a faulty software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which affected Microsoft Windows operating systems. This issue left many corporate users, including Delta, without essential system access, leading to significant disruptions. The airline was particularly hard hit, with over 46,000 flights delayed and more than 5,000 canceled on Friday alone, according to FlightAware.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, expressed regret over the situation, stating that canceling flights is a last resort and emphasizing the airline’s commitment to its passengers. He noted that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows applications, particularly for crew tracking, which was compromised during the outage.
In response to the disruptions, Delta has provided a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights without any fees, along with meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg commented on the situation, reporting that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s management of the disruptions. He stated that Delta must ensure that affected customers receive refunds, complimentary rebooking options, and prompt reimbursements for food and lodging expenses.
Buttigieg further emphasized that no passenger should have to spend the night stranded at an airport or endure long waits on hold for customer service assistance.