Delta Air Lines is facing the aftermath of a global software outage that has disrupted its operations for a third consecutive day.
The airline is dealing with the repercussions of a faulty update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike, which also impacted Microsoft systems worldwide. This latest unexpected event has not only affected Delta but has still caused disruptions across various industries, including shipping and logistics companies, retailers, and banks.
As of 7:00 a.m. EST this Monday morning, around 16% of Delta’s flights had been canceled, flights to or from the United States, according to data from FlightAware. This has left thousands of Delta passengers stranded, with some forced to seek alternative transportation options such as renting cars to reach their destinations, while others face the prospect of lengthy delays or even trip cancellations.
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As we previously reported, the root of the problem lies in a software update released by CrowdStrike, a leading global cybersecurity firm, that inadvertently caused system issues for Microsoft and several airlines last Friday. While most U.S. airlines have managed to recover from the disruption, Delta continues to suffer with the aftermath, struggling to restore normalcy to its flight schedule.
Comparatively, American Airlines canceled only 1% of its flights on Monday, while United Airlines experienced minimal disruptions, canceling less than 1%.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg gave a heads up on Sunday saying cancellations are going to continue. “I have made clear to Delta that we expect the airline to provide prompt refunds to consumers who choose not to be rebooked, and free rebooking and timely reimbursements for food and overnight hotel stays to consumers affected by the delays and cancellations, as well as adequate customer service assistance to all of their passengers,” Buttigieg said.
“No one should be stranded at an airport overnight or stuck on hold for hours waiting to talk to a customer service agent,” Buttigieg added. “I will ensure that our department supports Delta passengers by enforcing all applicable passenger protections.”