Delta Air Lines has announced the cancellation of hundreds of flights as it continues to recover from a significant global software outage. The incident, which occurred over the weekend, has had a lasting impact on the airline’s operations.
On Sunday alone, Delta canceled approximately 1,300 flights and experienced delays for another 1,600, according to data from FlightAware. This follows the cancellation of more than 3,500 flights between Friday and Saturday. By Monday morning, Delta had canceled 626 flights and delayed 144, accounting for nearly 20% of its planned operations. In contrast, American Airlines reported only 38 cancellations and 155 delays, representing about 5% of its schedule.
The root cause of Delta’s operational issues was linked to a problematic software update by the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike. This defect impacted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, affecting corporate users and resulting in significant disruptions, including the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.” The outage impacted various industries, but airlines and airports were particularly hard-hit, with over 46,000 flights delayed and 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, according to FlightAware.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, expressed regret over the cancellations, emphasizing that these decisions are made only as a last resort. He acknowledged the difficulties faced by travelers due to the disruptions and stated the airline is committed to connecting people around the world.
To assist affected customers, Delta has rolled out a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg addressed the issue on social media, noting that the department received numerous complaints about Delta’s response to the disruptions. He urged Delta to ensure refunds, free rebooking, and prompt reimbursements for meals and hotel stays for those impacted.
Buttigieg emphasized the importance of customer service, stating that passengers should not be left stranded overnight at airports or forced to wait on hold for extensive periods.