Airlines including Delta Air Lines continue to struggle to restore operations two days after a glitchy software update caused technical disruptions around the world and forced several airlines to ground flights.
NEW YORK — Airlines including Delta Air Lines continue to struggle to restore operations two days after a glitched software update caused technical disruptions around the world and forced several airlines to ground flights.
A total of 1,461 flights were canceled on Sunday within and to/from the US, according to the latest data from FlightAware. Delta and United Airlines led the way in cancellations.
Delta Air Lines Chief Executive Officer Ed Bastian said in a message to customers on Sunday that flights remain canceled as the airline works to restore its systems and resume operations. He noted that Delta’s suspension has resulted in the cancellation of more than 3,500 flights across Delta and Delta Connection airlines. Delta is offering waivers to affected customers.
Bastian noted that one of its crew tracking-related tools was affected and was unable to effectively handle the unprecedented number of changes caused by the outage.
“The technical issues occurred during one of the busiest summer travel weekends, leaving us over 90% booked and limiting our ability to re-book,” Bastian wrote. “We apologize to everyone affected by these events.”
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg spoke with Bastian on Sunday about the airline’s high number of cancellations since Friday. The Transportation Department said department officials had reminded Delta that it must offer refunds to canceled passengers who don’t want to be rebooked on a later flight.
“We have made clear our expectation that Delta will promptly refund consumers who do not wish to rebook, rebook at no charge to consumers affected by delays and cancellations, provide timely refunds for meals and hotel accommodations, and provide appropriate customer service assistance to all customers,” Buttigieg said.
“No one should be stranded in an airport overnight or wait hours to speak to a customer service representative,” Buttigieg said. “I will ensure that officials support Delta passengers by implementing all applicable passenger protections.”
