MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, FLA. (WSVN) - Delta Airlines has lifted the ground stop that affected every departing flight worldwide, Monday, but delays and cancellations continue.
According to Delta, a massive power outage in Atlanta at approximately 2:30 a.m. affected computer systems and operations, impacting nearly 6,000 scheduled flights worldwide.
The airline released a news update on their website at around 8:40 a.m. that read, “A Delta ground stop has been lifted and limited departures are resuming following a power outage in Atlanta that impacted Delta computer systems and operations worldwide. Cancellations and delays continue.”
The company also tweeted to customers on Twitter: “Delta has experienced a computer outage that has affected flights scheduled for this morning. Flights awaiting departure are currently delayed. Flights en route are operating normally. We appreciate your patience.”
Then, at 9:15 a.m., eager Delta passengers got the news they had been waiting for: Delta reported that all systems were back up and running.
Delta passengers at Miami International Airport arrived early Monday morning to the news of their flights being canceled. “We walked through the terminal and saw the long line,” said passenger John Cummings. “We went outside to check a bag, and they said the system is down.”
“I’m glad that I’m retired, and I don’t have a job to go to!” said passenger Jerry Graham, who arrived with his friends early at MIA to find out their flight had been delayed for hours. “All friends of mines, we’re on ‘mancation,’ we’re all ex-military guys. When we got here, we just had to figure it out.”
Delays also affected passengers at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. “I’ve been here for four hours, and you’re right. I should have been at my destination by now,” said passenger Jim Lawson. “I’m very sorry for the challenges this has created.”
“I anticipated this, so I’m here three hours early,” said another passenger. When asked why he anticipated this, he said, “The holidays, the summer, and I travel a lot, so I picked up on that.”
However, FLL officials said the impact was minimal and their systems are back to normal. As of 4 p.m., they have had 5 cancellations and 22 delays.
Delta has recognized that there are still technical difficulties with boarding and their app. The airline’s CEO took to Twitter to inform customers the company is doing all it can. He tweeted, “The Delta team is working hard to restore and get these systems back.”
Passengers said they would have liked to receive a notification before heading to the airport. “When I got to the airport, it was still on time, at least registered on time,” said Lawson. “But they already knew it was shut down.”
“I would’ve liked to receive an email, a text, Twitter, even through my app,” said Joanna Carbone. “That didn’t happen.”
The company continues to release official updates through their website along with issuing flight waivers for those traveling between Aug. 8 through Aug. 12 that can be found here.
Delta reported it had to cancel about 740 flights and delay 2,400, Monday, but none in South Florida.
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