Microsoft has teamed up with cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike to counter Delta Air Lines, which holds the two companies accountable for the thousands of canceled flights due to a technology outage in the past month. Microsoft’s attorney, Mark Cheffo, highlighted that Delta’s main IT system is likely supported by other tech firms, not just Microsoft Windows. Cheffo criticized Delta’s allegations as misleading and damaging to Microsoft’s reputation.
Cheffo raised concerns about why other airlines were able to recover from similar technology issues quicker than Delta. This indicates a growing conflict between the tech giants and the Atlanta-based airline. Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, mentioned that the technology outage, initiated by a flawed update from CrowdStrike on machines using Microsoft Windows, resulted in a $500 million loss for the airline, hinting at potential legal actions.
Delta emphasized its significant investments in dependable services, with billions spent on IT capital since 2016, in response to Microsoft and CrowdStrike’s statements. The airline refrained from providing additional comments. Both CrowdStrike and Microsoft disputed Delta’s accusations, mentioning that Delta declined their assistance following the outage. Microsoft’s legal representative noted that CEO Satya Nadella reached out to Bastian during the crisis, but received no response from Delta’s CEO.
