Microsoft Says Delta Lack of IT Modernization Slowed Its Recovery After The Recent Outage
Microsoft said its employees offered Delta multiple times to help after the outage, but the airline declined.
Criticized Delta Air Lines, which struggled for days to recover from a global cyber outage that caused the cancellation of more than 6,000 flights .
A software update last month by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike caused outages for Microsoft customers, including many airlines, but while the issues were resolved at other major U.S. airlines the next day, Delta Air Lines continued to experience problems.
He noted that the company did not appear to have modernized its IT infrastructure .
But Delta said it has invested billions of dollars in IT capital expenditures since 2016, in addition to the billions it spends each year o n IT operational costs.
“Delta has a long track record of investing in safe, reliable and quality service for our custoers and employees,” a company spokesman said.
The flight disruptions have stranded hundreds of thousands of travelers and cost the Atlanta-based airline an estimated $500 million. Delta Air Lines is also under investigation by the US Department of Transportation over the disruptions.
has hired David Boies , a prominent litigator at Boies Schiller Flexner, known for specializing in high-value business lawsuits , and is seeking damages from both CrowdStrike and Microsoft.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian told CNBC last week that the airline relies heavily on two technology companies that have failed to provide “great service.” He also said in the interview that Microsoft’s platform is “the most vulnerable.”
In his letter, Shehuo said the airlines’ comments were “incomplete, false and misleading and are damaging to Microsoft and its reputation.”
Ceffo said Microsoft’s software did not cause the CrowdStrike incident , the tech giant immediately offered Delta free help. Nadella added that he had emailed Bastian but had not received a response.
Microsoft said its employees repeatedly offered Delta assistance after the outage, but the airline declined. The company accused Delta of using another technology provider for its crew tracking and scheduling system, which it said was likely the reason for the refusal to help.
CrowdStrike also denied that Delta was to blame for the flight disruptions. The cybersecurity company said its CEO had contacted Bastian directly to offer on-site assistance but did not receive a response.