Delta Cancels More Flights as It Struggles to Recover From Tech Outage
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg singled out the airline on Sunday for continued disruptions and “unacceptable” customer service as it canceled another 1,300 flights.
Delta Air Lines continues to face significant disruptions days after a global software outage, canceling over 600 flights on Monday and drawing criticism from Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. The outage, caused by a flawed update from CrowdStrike, affected airlines' systems that rely on Microsoft Windows software. Delta has canceled thousands of flights since Friday, accounting for about a third of its scheduled flights.
Mr. Buttigieg singled out Delta for its slow recovery and inadequate customer service, warning the airline to provide proper assistance and refunds to affected customers. Delta's CEO, Ed Bastian, apologized and attributed the cancellations to the outage's impact on their crew tracking tool. The Transportation Department has received hundreds of complaints, emphasizing the need for prompt refunds, reimbursements, and better customer support. Airlines are required to provide compensation for flight disruptions caused by the software outage, which is considered within their control.
The tech outage highlighted the interconnectedness of technology and the potential for widespread disruption. As Delta struggles to resume normal operations, the incident serves as a reminder of the complex challenges faced by airlines and the importance of effective crisis management.
Mr. Buttigieg singled out Delta for its slow recovery and inadequate customer service, warning the airline to provide proper assistance and refunds to affected customers. Delta's CEO, Ed Bastian, apologized and attributed the cancellations to the outage's impact on their crew tracking tool. The Transportation Department has received hundreds of complaints, emphasizing the need for prompt refunds, reimbursements, and better customer support. Airlines are required to provide compensation for flight disruptions caused by the software outage, which is considered within their control.
The tech outage highlighted the interconnectedness of technology and the potential for widespread disruption. As Delta struggles to resume normal operations, the incident serves as a reminder of the complex challenges faced by airlines and the importance of effective crisis management.