Delta Air Lines struggles with Microsoft outage, leading to more cancellations

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By Stephan Mann
Published July 23, 2024 3:00 AM EST

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian, deeply empathizing with all travelers, offered frequent flyer miles as a gesture of understanding following a turbulent weekend marred by a widespread IT outage. This disruption, which began last Friday, resulted in over 4,600 flight cancellations through Sunday, marking Delta as the most heavily impacted airline, according to aviation data firm OAG.

According to FlightAware, as of Monday evening, Delta had canceled an additional 900 flights, including 23% of its mainline operations for the day. This figure underscores the persistent challenges Delta is facing in restoring normality after the exceptional disruption caused by the IT outage. The airline, known for its reliability and premium service reputation, is now under intense scrutiny.

In an internal video interview on Monday, Bastian reiterated his commitment to resolving the situation, noting that it would take a few more days to fully restore normal operations. He confirmed having discussed the issue with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who expressed concerns over customer service setbacks and demanded swift action from the airline.

Read more: Major US Airlines American, United, and Delta Grounded Due to Communication Issues

Despite all efforts to mitigate the impact, including offering flight attendants additional compensation to cover extra shifts, Delta faces operational hurdles while competitors like American Airlines and United Airlines have returned to regular schedules.

Financial analysts are predicting that Delta could face significant financial repercussions from the IT outage, estimated at over $160 million. The airline has attributed the outage to issues with Microsoft tools critical for crew tracking, which were overwhelmed by the volume of changes necessitated during the outage.

Delta's response includes offering prompt refunds and reimbursements for affected customers, highlighting their commitment to addressing customer grievances and restoring trust amidst the crisis.

This incident resonates with past disruptions faced by airlines and other industries due to unforeseen technical failures, underscoring the critical need for robust & well-organized IT infrastructure resilience in today's digital world.

About the author

Stephan Mann

A dedicated travel content author at FlyOfinder since 2017. Stephan Mann brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his writing. His engaging storytelling not only captivates but also guides and informs. Stephan's writing helps readers confidently plan their travels, ensuring every journey is filled with excitement and memorable experiences.