Delta computer outage grounds flights worldwide, travel waiver issued
MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, grounded and canceled approximately 300 flights on Monday following a power outage that hit its computer systems globally. Limited flight departures resumed around 8 a.m.
Travelers heading to the airport should expect delays and cancellations. Delta has since published a waiver for customers traveling on Aug. 8 through Aug. 12. The airlines is also offering $200 in travel vouchers to all customers who experienced more than a three-hour delay or a cancelled flight as a result of the power outage.
According to Delta, the outage began around 1:30 a.m. Monday. Flights that were already en route were operating normally, but others were delayed or canceled. Flight status systems, including airport screens, were incorrectly showing flights on time.
“A power outage in Atlanta, which began at approximately 2:30 a.m. ET, has impacted Delta computer systems and operations worldwide, resulting in flight delays,” Delta first announced in a statement. “Large-scale cancellations are expected today.”
Update from Delta, 10 p.m. CT
"Delta expects 100+ flight cancellations, roughly 200 delays to affect Tuesday morning departures."
Update from Delta, 12:30 p.m. CT
"Delta has canceled 451 flights due to a power outage, while operating about 1,679 of its nearly 6,000 scheduled flights."
Update from Delta, 7:40 a.m. CT
“A Delta ground stop has been lifted and limited departures are resuming following a power outage in Atlanta that impacted Delta computer systems and operations worldwide. Cancellations and delays continue.
“Customers heading to the airport should expect delays and cancellations. While inquiries are high and wait times are long, our customer service agents are doing everything they can to assist. There may also be some lag time in the display of accurate flight status at delta.com, the Fly Delta App and from Delta representatives on the phone and in airport.”
Delta has published a waiver for customers traveling on Aug. 8 through Aug. 12. Updates will be available at news.delta.com
Impact at MSP
It's unclear how many flights were delayed or canceled in Minneapolis, but the outage should only affect Delta passengers at MSP. Airport spokesman Patrick Hogan said Delta travelers have been able to get boarding passes and go through security checkpoints, but anyone traveling with Delta should contact the airline directly to check on any potential delays, disruptions or cancellations.