Delta Air Lines is facing unprecedented operational challenges following a global cyber outage last week, resulting in the cancellation of over 600 flights on Monday alone.
The outage has caused widespread chaos, disrupting the travel plans of thousands of passengers across the United States. Since last Friday, Delta has canceled more than 5,000 flights, with 1,250 flights canceled on Sunday and 3,500 previously scrapped.
Stranded passengers are searching for alternatives, with many resorting to renting cars for long-distance drives or facing extended delays and trip cancellations. “I was supposed to be on a flight to San Francisco for a crucial business meeting,” said Linda Chen, a marketing executive. “Now I’m stuck, and there are no available flights for days.”
As of Monday, about 16 percent of Delta’s flights had been canceled, according to FlightAware, affecting roughly 1,100 flights to or from the U.S. The Atlanta-based airline has been significantly impacted by the outage, which disrupted its crew tracking system. Despite efforts to restore normal operations, Delta has not provided a clear timeline for when services will resume fully.
The issues originated from a software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike that caused system problems for Microsoft customers, including several airlines. While most U.S. carriers have recovered, Delta continues to struggle with the fallout. United Airlines also faced challenges, canceling 266 flights on Sunday, totaling 9 percent of its scheduled flights.
The disruptions have had ripple effects on international travel as well, affecting flights connecting the U.S. with Asia and other regions. Business professionals, tourists, and families are among those impacted, highlighting the global reach of the airline industry’s technological vulnerabilities.
Industry analysts are urging airlines to bolster their cybersecurity measures to prevent future incidents. “This outage underscores the critical importance of robust cyber defenses in the aviation sector,” said Richard Kim, an aviation analyst based in Singapore. “The interconnectedness of global travel means that disruptions in one region can have far-reaching consequences.”
As travelers await updates, the full extent of the outage’s impact on Delta’s operations and reputation remains to be seen.
Reference(s):
Delta Air Lines faces huge disruptions amid fallout from cyber outage
cgtn.com
