Airlines Struggle to Recover from Major Tech Outage
By 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time, airlines had canceled nearly 2,500 U.S. flights on Friday, according to flight-tracker FlightAware. The cause of this massive disruption was an overnight global technology outage, stemming from a recent update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike. The outage primarily affected Microsoft Windows users of CrowdStrike’s tool, leading to significant challenges for airlines worldwide.
Global Impact of the Outage
The impact of the outage has been felt on a global scale, with over 4,000 flights canceled around the world. U.S. airports were particularly hard-hit, with Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, where Delta operates as the largest carrier, experiencing nearly 300 cancellations—24% of its scheduled flights.
According to airline data provider Cirium, more than 27,000 departures were scheduled for Friday from U.S. airports. Approximately 8.8% of these flights have been canceled, and over 8,000 U.S. flights have been delayed.
Major Airlines Affected
Delta Airlines bore the brunt of the cancellations, with 836 flights canceled, amounting to 22% of its schedule. American Airlines and United Airlines also faced significant disruptions, each canceling more than 350 flights. In contrast, Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines were relatively unaffected, with each canceling just four flights.
In a statement on Friday morning, Delta confirmed that the technology disruption had forced it to pause its global flight schedule overnight. Operations have since resumed. United Airlines similarly paused all departures overnight before resuming them in the morning. The carrier noted that the software disruption impacted various systems, including those used for calculating aircraft weight, checking in customers, and handling phone systems in call centers.
American Airlines also halted operations overnight, restarting at 5 a.m. Eastern Time.
Customer Support and Government Response
To assist affected travelers, United and Delta have issued waivers allowing for rebookings without change fees or fare differences. American Airlines has waived change fees but has not mentioned fare differences.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has classified the CrowdStrike-related delays and cancellations as controllable. As a result, airlines are required to adhere to their customer service commitments for flight disruptions. Flyers and travel advisors can view these commitments on the DOT Airline Customer Service Dashboard.
Microsoft Acknowledges Outage
In addition to CrowdStrike’s role, it has been reported that Microsoft also experienced an outage, contributing to the widespread disruptions.
Conclusion for Desmo Travel
The recent airline disruptions highlight the importance of staying informed and prepared when traveling. At Desmo Travel, we prioritize providing our clients with up-to-date information and reliable travel services to ensure a smooth journey. Whether you are planning a domestic trip or an international adventure, trust Desmo Travel to guide you through any challenges that may arise.
For more travel tips and updates, visit our website at Desmo Travel or contact us at info@desmotravel.com. Let us help you navigate the world with confidence.
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