ATLANTA, GA – Delta Air Lines faced significant disruptions as it canceled over 600 flights on Monday due to an ongoing global tech outage, now entering its fourth day.
The airline had previously scrapped numerous flights following a software update on Friday, which caused system failures worldwide and impacted various sectors, including airports and healthcare facilities.
The technical issue stems from a software update introduced by the security firm CrowdStrike for systems operating on Microsoft Windows. The problem affected only Windows computers, leaving Apple and Linux systems unscathed, as confirmed by CrowdStrike. Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, addressed the situation in a blog post, citing challenges related to crew tracking tools and the overwhelming number of system shutdown-triggered changes.
Despite the airline’s efforts to rectify the situation and restore full functionality, Delta has faced mounting criticism surrounding disruptions and poor customer service conditions. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressed dissatisfaction with Delta through a social media post, promising to uphold all relevant passenger protections in response to the numerous complaints filed with the Department of Transportation.
The ongoing tech outage has significantly impacted Delta’s operations, leading to a cascade of flight cancellations and delays, causing inconvenience to travelers and highlighting the vulnerability of operations reliant on complex technological systems. As the situation continues to unfold, travelers are advised to stay updated on the developments as Delta works to resolve the underlying tech issues.