Delta cancels more flights in wake of computer-system outage

The impact of Delta’s Monday morning power outage has extended into a second day, with the airline on Tuesday cancelling about 300 flights as it scrambles to bring its systems back online.

Chief Executive Officer Ed Bastian apologized to customers on a video posted on the company’s website and said Delta was working around the clock to restore its systems.

Though power was restored quickly, various systems and network equipment that should have switched over to backups didn’t.

Delta said the power outage in Atlanta that caused the computer meltdown began at 2:30 am (0630 GMT).

Delta airlines employs 80,000 people worldwide with 335 destinations in 61 countries it services.

The largest USA airlines – which account for about 85 percent of domestic air traffic – are required to report on-time performance for each flight to the government each month, and to disclose that information on their websites and to travel agencies.

Delta also extended its travel waiver for customers traveling on August 9.

Delta Air Lines passengers can expect more delays and cancellations Tuesday. The ripple effect from such a large disruption can take several days to full shake out of an airline’s entire schedule, and reports coming in Tuesday suggested Delta customers still faced a ragged operation by the airline.

The airline has apologised to passengers and offered refunds and $200 in travel vouchers to people affected. No other customers lost power, a spokesman said.

Nationally, the airline canceled almost 250 flights Tuesday and about 1,000 on Monday.

That has afflicted airlines in the USA and overseas.

Budget carrier Southwest Airlines Co halted departures last month after a technical problem, while American Airlines Group Inc suspended flights from three of its hubs last September after technical problems. United Airlines and American Airlines both suffered outages previous year — United has struggled with several meltdowns since combining technology systems with merger partner Continental Airlines.

Delta is waiving its flight change fees for customers ticketed to travel Tuesday, so if you can rebook to fly another time, you may want to consider it.