Microsoft pushed back against Delta Air Lines’ assertion that Microsoft was responsible for the airline’s prolonged struggle to recover from a global CrowdStrike-linked cyber outage. The outage led to the cancellation of over 6,000 Delta flights.
Microsoft’s perspective
Microsoft said a software update last month by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike triggered system problems for its customers, including many airlines. However, the disruptions subsided the next day at other major U.S. carriers, while persisting at Delta.
Microsoft’s preliminary review suggested that Delta, unlike its competitors, had apparently not modernized its IT infrastructure.
Delta’s rebuttal, legal action
But Delta disputed this, stating that it has invested billions of dollars in IT capital expenditures since 2016, in addition to the billions it spends every year on IT operating costs.Â
“Delta has a long track record of investing in safe, reliable and elevated service for our customers and employees,” a company spokesperson said.
Delta has hired prominent litigator David Boies to seek damages from both CrowdStrike and Microsoft.
Extensive flight disruptions
The flight disruptions stranded hundreds of thousands of travelers and are estimated to have cost the Atlanta-based airline $500 million. Delta is also facing an investigation from the U.S. Transportation Department for the disruptions.
Microsoft’s response
In a letter, a lawyer for Microsoft, Mark Cheffo, called the airline’s comments “incomplete, false, misleading, and damaging to Microsoft and its reputation.” Cheffo said Microsoft’s software had not caused the CrowdStrike incident, and the tech giant immediately offered to assist Delta at no charge, but its CEO Satya Nadella never got a reply from Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian.
Microsoft accuses Delta
Microsoft said its employees repeatedly offered to help Delta following the outage, but the U.S. carrier turned them down. It accused the airline of using services of other technology providers for its crew-tracking and scheduling system, which it alleged was a likely reason for declining Microsoft’s help.
Cheffo said Microsoft will “vigorously” defend itself if Delta files a lawsuit.
CrowdStrike’s rejection of blame
CrowdStrike has also rejected Delta’s claim that it should be blamed for the flight disruptions. The cybersecurity firm said its CEO had personally reached out to Bastian to offer onsite assistance, but received no response.
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