Microsoft Accuses Delta of Tech Problems
- Microsoft has blamed Delta Air Lines for the slow recovery from a recent tech outage, attributing it to Delta's aging technology.
- The tech giant claims that Delta refused assistance during the crisis, which led to various technical failures.
- This situation highlights ongoing issues within Delta's technological infrastructure and raises questions about their operational readiness.
Microsoft has attributed Delta Air Lines' significant operational disruptions last month to the airline's outdated technology, which hindered its recovery from a global tech outage. This assertion comes amid escalating tensions between Microsoft, CrowdStrike, and Delta, following Delta's decision to hire a prominent attorney to seek compensation from both tech companies. Delta's CEO, Ed Bastian, recently claimed that the incident cost the airline approximately $500 million, intensifying the blame game. In a recent CNBC interview, Bastian criticized CrowdStrike, the cybersecurity firm involved in the outage, while CrowdStrike countered by stating that Delta had declined offers of assistance to expedite its recovery. A letter from CrowdStrike's attorney, Mark Cheffo, highlighted that Microsoft proactively reached out to Delta daily during the crisis, offering help at no cost. Despite these efforts, Delta reportedly struggled to resume normal operations, canceling around 30% of its flights and leaving an estimated 500,000 passengers stranded. Microsoft's preliminary review indicated that Delta had not modernized its IT infrastructure, unlike its competitors, which were able to recover more swiftly. CrowdStrike's CEO, George Kurtz, also attempted to provide direct assistance to Delta but received no response. The letter from CrowdStrike's attorney suggested that Delta's public litigation threats could mislead stakeholders regarding the airline's IT decisions and its response to the outage. In response to the situation, a CrowdStrike spokesperson reiterated their regret for the incident and the resulting disruptions, emphasizing the need for Delta to clarify its IT resilience capabilities to the public and its shareholders.