Delta Air Lines said flight cancellations continue as it tries to restore operations after technology outage

NEW YORK — Airlines, including Delta Air Lines, continued to struggle to restore operations two days after a faulty software update wreaked technological havoc around the world and forced several airlines to ground. Grounding Flights.

A total of 1,461 flights were canceled within, to or from the United States on Sunday, according to the latest data from FlightAware. Delta and United Airlines led the list of cancellations.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in a message to customers Sunday that flight cancellations continued as the airline tried to restore its systems and restore operations. He noted that Delta’s grounding has resulted in the cancellation of more than 3,500 Delta and Delta Connection flights. Delta was offering waivers to affected customers.

Bastian noted that one of their staff tracking tools was impacted and was no longer able to effectively handle the unprecedented number of changes caused by the outage.

“The technology issue occurred during our busiest travel weekend of the summer, when our booked capacity exceeded 90%, limiting our ability to re-accommodate,” Bastian wrote. “I would like to apologize to each and every one of you who were affected by these events.”

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg spoke with Bastian on Sunday about the high number of flight cancellations since Friday. The Transportation Department said its top officials reminded Delta of the airline’s commitment to providing refunds to canceled passengers who do not want to rebook on a later flight.

“I have made clear to Delta that we expect the airline to provide prompt refunds to consumers who choose not to rebook, free rebooking and timely compensation for meals and one-night hotel accommodations to consumers affected by delays and cancellations, and adequate customer service assistance to all of their passengers,” Buttigieg said.

“No one should be stuck at an airport overnight or stuck on hold for hours waiting to speak to a customer service agent,” Buttigieg said. “I will ensure that our administration supports Delta passengers by enforcing all passenger protections in place.”