Delta Air Lines faced significant disruptions on Monday, canceling over 600 flights as it continues to recover from a severe global software outage that impacted operations for three days. This incident has been linked to a problematic software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, causing widespread access issues for corporate users.
On Sunday alone, Delta canceled 1,300 flights and delayed around 1,600, following more than 3,500 cancellations across Friday and Saturday, according to FlightAware. By Monday morning, Delta had canceled approximately 626 flights and delayed another 144, representing nearly 20% of its planned operations. In comparison, American Airlines saw only 38 cancellations and 155 delays, amounting to about 5% of its schedule.
The outage had a ripple effect across several industries, especially airlines, with over 46,000 flights delayed and more than 5,171 canceled on Friday. Delta was particularly hard hit, leading CEO Ed Bastian to issue an apology to affected travelers. He emphasized that canceling flights is a last resort for the airline, which aims to connect people worldwide.
Delta’s operational issues stem from the reliance on numerous applications that depend on Microsoft Windows, including a crucial crew tracking tool that was unable to adapt during the system shutdown. In response to the disruption, Delta has implemented a travel waiver for customers, allowing free flight changes, and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg remarked on social media that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation. He urged the airline to offer refunds, free rebooking, and prompt reimbursements for travelers affected by the disruptions, stressing that no individual should have to spend the night stranded at an airport or face long wait times to reach customer service.