CrowdStrike Disputes Claims of Negligence in Letter to Delta Attorney

CrowdStrike attorney Michael Carlinsky said in a letter that it was misleading to say CrowdStrike was responsible for Delta’s IT decisions.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Monday, August 05, 2024 at 03:41 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Delta A220 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Temperatures are rising in the blame game between software company CrowdStrike and Delta over responsibilities for the massive IT outage that impacted air traffic across the U.S. on July 19.

According to a letter posted on X/Twitter by aviation reporter David Slotnick on Sunday, CrowdStrike attorney Michael Carlinsky told Delta attorney David Boies that it was misleading to say CrowdStrike was responsible for Delta’s IT decisions in response to the outage. Boies was reportedly retained by Delta to seek damages from both CrowdStrike and Microsoft after the airline’s CEO Ed Bastian said the outages cost the company $500 million.

“CrowdStrike reiterates its apology to Delta, its employees, and its customers, and is empathetic to the circumstances they faced,” the letter from Carlinsky states. “However, CrowdStrike is highly disappointed by Delta’s suggestion that CrowdStrike acted inappropriately and strongly rejects any allegation that it was grossly negligent or committed willful misconduct with respect to the Channel File 291 incident. Your suggestion that CrowdStrike failed to do testing and validation is contradicted by the very information on which you rely from CrowdStrike’s Preliminary Post Incident Review.”

The letter states that CrowdStrike has worked tirelessly to help its customers restore impacted systems and resume services to their customers. Carlinsky states in the letter that within hours of the incident, CrowdStrike reached out to Delta to offer help and make sure the airline was aware of an available fix.

Additionally, Carlinsky says that CrowdStrike’s CEO personally reached out to Delta’s CEO to offer on-site assistance, but received no response. After following up on the offer for on-site support, Carlinsky said Delta declined the offer for help.

“Delta’s public threat of litigation distracts from this work and has contributed to a misleading narrative that CrowdStrike is responsible for Delta’s IT decisions and response to the outage,” the letter continues. “Should Delta pursue this path, Delta will have to explain to the public, its shareholders, and ultimately a jury why CrowdStrike took responsibility for its actions— swiftly, transparently, and constructively-while Delta did not.”

Carlinsky argues in the letter that Delta will have to explain why its competitors facing similar challenges all restored normal operations faster and why the airline turned down free on-site help from CrowdStrike. He also states that any liability by CrowdStrike is contractually capped in the single-digit millions.

Carlinsky stated that CrowdStrike demands Delta preserve all documents, records, and communications of any kind in the possession of the airline, including:

Delta’s response to the Channel File 291 incident.
Delta’s emergency backup, disaster recovery, and IT business continuity plans, and any related testing of those plans.
All assessments of Delta’s IT infrastructure, including any gaps and remediation recommendations, for the last five years, including in the wake of the Channel File 291 incident.
All decisions to upgrade or not upgrade Delta’s IT infrastructure in the last five years.
All scripts and software that Delta has deployed before and after the Channel File 291 incident to address possible Windows group policy corruption issues across the IT estate.
All system event logs for the weeks preceding and succeeding the Channel File 291 incident.
All encryption-level software that Delta deployed on all its IT infrastructure and the management of this software.
All technology and operating systems that Delta utilizes to assign workflow, routes, crews, flight schedules, etc. and any information, documents, or analysis on how that technology interacts with any software that Delta employs on its IT infrastructure.
Any data loss following the Channel File 291 incident related to Delta’s workflow routes, crew and flight schedules, and all communications with crew members following the Channel File 291 incident.
Delta’s response and recovery to any previous IT outages in the past five years.

“As I am sure you can appreciate, while litigation would be unfortunate, CrowdStrike will respond aggressively, if forced to do so, in order to protect its shareholders, employees, and other stakeholders,” the letter states.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

AirlineGeeks.com was founded in February 2013 as a one-person blog in Washington D.C. Since then, we’ve grown to have 25+ active team members scattered across the globe. We are all here for the same reason: we love deep-diving into the fascinating realm of the airline industry.

Delta, SkyWest Plan More CRJ-550 Routes

Starting next month, the newly introduced aircraft type is set to operate a handful of flights from Delta's Minneapolis/St. Paul hub.

Ryan Ewing

Monday, August 05, 2024 at 11:57 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ-700 aircraft on final approach at O'Hare International Airport. (Photo: Shutterstock | Carlos Yudica)

More SkyWest-operated CRJ-550 routes are joining Delta’s network. Starting next month, the newly introduced aircraft type is scheduled to operate flights from Delta’s Minneapolis/St. Paul hub.

Schedule data from Cirium Diio shows the aircraft scheduled on two routes from Minneapolis. SkyWest’s CRJ-550 already operates scheduled flights from Salt Lake City.

Beginning on Sept. 1, 2024, the aircraft is scheduled to serve International Falls and Bemidji, Minn., both of which are subsidized under the Essential Air Service (EAS) program. These flights are currently only scheduled through the end of September.

From Salt Lake City, SkyWest’s CRJ-550s serve Butte, Mont., Casper, Wyo., Cedar City, Utah, Elko, Nev., and West Yellowstone, Mont. The type is slated to operate nearly 700 scheduled flights in September, according to the schedule data.

SkyWest first detailed plans to operate the CRJ-550 under the Delta Connection brand earlier this year. The aircraft is a modified version of the CRJ-700 with only 50 seats, including 10 in first class and 40 in economy.

In July, the regional carrier began operating the CRJ-550 fleet, which is being converted from an expiring CRJ-700 contract with American. SkyWest expects to convert most of the 19 aircraft by the end of 2024, the company said during a recent earnings call.

According to planespotters.net data, SkyWest currently has two Delta Connection CRJ-550s in service, registered as N708EV and N738SK. Two more are currently undergoing the conversion process.

Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has spent more than a decade covering the airline business. His work has been featured by CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. His aviation experience spans airport operations, Part 135 regulatory compliance, and airline crew workforce planning, along with time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 and interviews with airline executives. Ryan now serves as Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group. He holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and teaches Airline Management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Tailwind Air to Cease Seaplane Operations

Tailwind Air, a seaplane carrier based in Manhattan, has ceased scheduled operations but plans to continue charter operations.

Arya Karnik

Monday, August 05, 2024 at 09:02 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Tailwind Air Cessna 208B. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Katie Zera)

Tailwind Air, a seaplane carrier based in Manhattan, has ceased scheduled operations but plans to continue charter operations. The company is reportedly seeking a new investor to help revitalize its business model. Tailwind Air’s unique seaplane service connected New York City with destinations including Boston and Bridgeport, Conn., offering a novel alternative to traditional air travel.

However, the carrier has struggled to turn a profit with its scheduled seaplane operations, not having a load factor that is high enough to continue operations. With that, the airline had been searching for a new investor to keep the operation running but could not finalize a contract at the deal table.

Tailwind operated flights from Manhattan to Boston and other New York/Massachusetts region seaplane bases. The airline’s unique service offered a convenient alternative for business travelers and tourists, reducing travel time between major East Coast cities.

The company’s decision to focus on charter operations may allow it to utilize its fleet and resources better while exploring new business opportunities. Tailwind was the only airline with rights to fly into Boston Harbor, which will provide value for a future investor with the high demand the New York to Boston route carries.

Arya Karnik

Ever since he was a kid, Arya has been interested in aviation. With his entire family overseas, he has taken many family trips worldwide to places like the United Kingdom and India. He lives in Colorado but attends The University of Alabama, studying Computer Engineering with a minor in Computer Science. He hopes to obtain his PPL and eventually translate his engineering degree to working in operations at an airline.

Azul Adds U.S. Fifth-Freedom Route

Brazilian airline Azul has planned an expansion of its network with a new fifth-freedom route between Curaçao and Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Ryan Ewing

Sunday, August 04, 2024 at 11:11 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An Azul Airbus A320neo aircraft. (Photo: Airbus)

Brazilian airline Azul has planned an expansion of its network with a new fifth-freedom route between Curaçao and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., set to begin in December. According to Air Data News, the airline will increase frequencies between Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and Curaçao from two to four weekly flights and expand the route to Fort Lauderdale.

The flights will be operated with an Airbus A320neo, offering 174 seats, and will depart from Belo Horizonte on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The flights will land in Curaçao at 3:40 p.m. local time and then continue to Fort Lauderdale, with a scheduled arrival time of 7:00 p.m.

The return flight will depart from Fort Lauderdale at 8:00 a.m. the following day, arriving in Curaçao at 11:55 a.m., before returning to Belo Horizonte. Flights are slated to begin on Dec. 9, 2024 with year-round service.

The airline will also continue to operate two weekly flights between Belo Horizonte and Fort Lauderdale with the A330neo. From Fort Lauderdale, Azul also flies to Belém, Campinas, Manaus, and Recife.

Ryan Ewing

Boeing 747-400 Retirement Draws Closer

Even as the last few passenger-carrying 747-400s are set to be retired in 2028, several freighters still remain in service.

Ryan Ewing

Friday, August 02, 2024 at 04:49 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Lufthansa Boeing 747-400 (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

The number of Boeing 747-400s still in service is slowly dwindling. In 1988, Boeing debuted the first 747-400, which later became the so-called Queen of the Skies’ best-selling variant.

Over the jet’s lifespan, Boeing delivered nearly 700 747-400s in both passenger and freight configurations. With the 747-8 being announced in 2005, the last -400 was delivered to Kalitta Air in 2009.

Some of the largest operators of the passenger-carrying 747-400 included British Airways, United, and Japan Airlines. British Airways retired its fleet of 747-400s in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Few Remain

Data from Cirium Fleet Analyzer shows that only a few passenger 747-400s remain. As of August 2024, 29 747-400s are in service and 368 have been either retired or placed in storage.

Lufthansa is currently the largest operator of the type with eight aircraft still active. During a recent earnings call, the airline announced plans to phase out the 747-400 fleet by 2028. The aircraft will join the carrier’s aging A330-200s and A340s which are also set to enter retirement.

The company’s interim finance chief Dr. Michael Niggemann said these aircraft retirements will help “bring [Lufthansa’s] productivity to a new level.” This announcement follows the airline’s earnings downturn during the first half of 2024.

Even as the 747-400s exit Lufthansa’s fleet, the German airline’s 19 747-8i aircraft are expected to remain in service for some time. Lufthansa first took delivery of the newer 747-8i variant in 2011, becoming the type’s launch customer.

A Lufthansa Boeing 747-8i (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Fabian Behr)

In addition to Lufthansa’s remaining 747-400s, Atlas Air has five of the type, which are used for charter flights. Air China, Saudia, Mahan Air, and Russia’s Russiya Airlines also have small 747-400 fleets, although it is unclear how many are still fully active.

The cargo-carrying 747-400s will remain active well beyond the passenger version. Currently, there are 150 747-400F aircraft in service with an average age of just over 25 years old, according to Cirium fleet data.

Ryan Ewing

Livery of the Week: Kenya Airways

Kenya Airways, the flag carrier of Kenya, has maintained a distinctive red and green livery that has evolved over the years.

Ryan Ewing

Friday, August 02, 2024 at 03:17 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

A Kenya Airways Boeing 787 landing in London. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

Editor’s Note: AirlineGeeks is proud to present our ‘Livery of the Week’ series. Every Friday, a team member will share an airline livery, which can be from the past, present, or even a special scheme. Some airline liveries are works of art. The complexity associated with painting around critical flight components and the added weight requires outside-the-box thinking from designers. The average airliner can cost upwards of $200,000 to repaint, creating a separate aircraft repainting industry as a result.

Have an idea for a livery that we should highlight? Drop us a line.

Kenya Airways, the flag carrier of Kenya, has maintained a distinctive livery that has evolved over the years. Characterized by a blend of traditional African elements and modern design, the airline’s visual identity has become synonymous with its brand.

The current livery features a prominent “K” on the tai, which is encircled by a “Q,” representing the carrier’s IATA code. This is complemented by a color palette that draws inspiration from the Kenyan flag, with shades of green and red dominating parts of the aircraft.

A Kenya Airways Boeing 787-8 at Schiphol Airport. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | James Dinsdale)

In 2005, the airline moved away from stripes along the fuselage in favor of its current design. While specific details of the livery may have changed over time, the core elements have remained consistent, including the green and red color palette.

Looking for a new airplane model? Head over to our friends at the Midwest Model Store for a wide selection of airlines and liveries.

Ryan Ewing

IAG Withdraws from Air Europa Purchase

International Airlines Group (IAG) has withdrawn from an agreement to purchase the remaining 80% share of Spanish carrier Air Europa.

John Flett

Friday, August 02, 2024 at 12:24 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An Air Europa Boeing 787 in Madrid (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

International Airlines Group (IAG) has withdrawn from an agreement to purchase the remaining 80% share of Spanish carrier Air Europa. Reuters reported the decision was made public on Thursday as IAG announced its half-yearly trading figures. Chief Executive Luis Gallego said: “It doesn’t make sense for our shareholders and that’s the reason we are abandoning the operation.”

The consortium, the parent company of British Airways, Iberia, Vueling, Air Lingus, and LEVEL, had offered €400 million ($432 million) to complete the full acquisition of Air Europa. However, ongoing European Commission regulatory concerns would have required IAG to make some concessions on routes operated by its carriers.

Though IAG had been prepared to make some concessions, as detailed two months ago, Gallego confirmed that these were insufficient to satisfy the authorities. As a result of the termination of the purchase agreement, IAG will pay Air Europa a €50 million ($54 million) fee. The consortium will retain its 20% stake in Air Europa and potentially turn its attention to acquiring another European carrier.

According to analysts spoken to by Reuters, Portuguese airline TAP Air Portugal may become more of a focus of IAG’s attention. When the Portuguese government announced its intention of privatizing at least 51% of the state-owned carrier in 2023, Gallego stated that TAP would ‘fit right into the group’s profile, but the company still needed to see the conditions of the sale.’ Along with IAG, Air France-KLM and the Lufthansa Group are also reported to be interested in TAP Air Portugal. The Lufthansa Group recently gained European Commission approval to buy into Italian carrier ITA Airways.

Profit Growth at IAG

In non-airline acquisition news, IAG posted a higher profit for the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The €1.309 billion ($1.414 billion) operating profit for the half-year is €49 million more than that achieved in the first six months of 2023. The positive performance will result in shareholders receiving a dividend with Gallego noting “reflects our confidence in the business, our performance and our transformation. We are delivering on our strategy and our commitment to sustainable shareholder returns.”

In its outlook for the remainder of 2024, Gallego said, “We see continuing strong demand for travel in the attractive core markets in which we operate: North Atlantic, Latin America and intra-Europe.” Capacity is predicted to remain at the forecast level of +7% with non-fuel unit cost expected to “increase slightly overall.”

Unlike other competitor airlines operating from the European region, IAG has very little exposure to the Asian region which has been slow to recover from the pandemic. As a result, the market has seen an over-capacity with variable demand impacting airline revenues and yields. “The capacity that we have in those markets is very reduced,” said Gallego. “So, for the time being, the projections we have for the year are in line with our forecast.”

John Flett

John has always had a passion for aviation and through a career with Air New Zealand has gained a strong understanding of aviation operations and the strategic nature of the industry. During his career with the airline, John held multiple leadership roles and was involved in projects such as the introduction of both the 777-200 and -300 type aircraft and the development of the IFE for the 777-300. He was also part of a small team who created and published the internal communications magazines for Air New Zealand’s pilots, cabin crew and ground staff balancing a mix of corporate and social content. John is educated to postgraduate level achieving a masters degree with Distinction in Airline and Airport Management. John has held the positions of course director of an undergraduate commercial pilot training programme at a leading London university. In addition he is contracted as an external instructor for IATA (International Air Transport Association) and has been a member of the Heathrow Community Fund’s ‘Communities for Tomorrow’ panel.

DOT Warns Airlines Are Legally Obligated to Give Refunds After CrowdStrike Outage

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg sent letters to CEOs of the 10 largest airlines on Wednesday reminding them of their legal refund obligations.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Thursday, August 01, 2024 at 03:43 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Aircraft movements at New York LaGuardia Airport. (Photo: AirlineGeeks | William Derrickson)

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg sent letters to CEOs of the 10 largest airlines in the country on Wednesday reminding them of their legal obligation to provide passengers with cash refunds following nationwide IT outages last month.

The letter, included in a DOT news release, outlines the following expectations as required by the FAA Reauthorization Act that took effect on May 16:

Airlines must clearly and proactively inform passengers of their right to a refund whenever their flight is canceled or significantly changed.
Cash refunds – not vouchers or credits – must be automatic for passengers when they are owed.
Airlines should make it easy for passengers to get free rebooking, meals, hotels, and/or transportation to and from hotels as promised during controllable disruptions.
If passengers opt for vouchers or credits after a canceled or significantly changed flight, they must be valid for at least five years.

The letter comes after a glitched update from CrowdStrike caused nationwide outages on July 19 that disrupted airlines for the week, costing Delta $500 million. Delta CEO Ed Bastian told CNBC that the company lost the money in revenue as well as tens of millions of dollars per day in hotel compensation for customers.

“We are concerned that some airlines may not be disclosing that travelers are entitled to refunds or, worse, misleading travelers into thinking they are not entitled to a refund,” the DOT letter states. “Any time you communicate to a passenger on a canceled or significantly changed flight, particularly about a voucher or credit, you must make it clear that they are entitled to a refund.”

Additionally, the news release states that the DOT has recently received a request from the airline industry for additional time to comply with various aspects of the FAA Reauthorization Act and the Department’s 2024 Final Rule on Refunds and Other Consumer Protections. The Department states it has found no basis for adjusting the compliance dates set forth in its rule.

“The provisions encoded in the FAA Reauthorization Act took effect upon its May enactment, and the law did not provide for extensions or delays,” the news release states. “Accordingly, we will be taking all appropriate steps to responsibly enforce these provisions using our investigative and enforcement powers.”

The release says that airlines are free to advise the Department of any extenuating circumstances affecting their compliance. However, since it’s been nearly three months since the law took effect, the Department states it expects airlines to have taken the necessary steps to comply.

AirlineGeeks.com Staff

Biden Administration Proposes Ban on Airline Family Seating Fees

The Biden-Harris Administration's new rule aims to prevent airlines from charging parents extra to sit with their young children.

Tolga Karadeniz

Thursday, August 01, 2024 at 02:46 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

United Airbus A321neo Economy Class seats (Photo: AirlineGeeks | Andrew Chen)

The Biden-Harris Administration on Thursday proposed a new rule prohibiting airlines from charging extra fees to seat families together on flights. The rule aims to make air travel more affordable and comfortable for families by guaranteeing that children aged 13 and under can sit next to an accompanying adult at no additional cost.

The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) proposed rule would require airlines to seat parents next to their young children for free when adjacent seating is available at booking. Mandating fee-free family seating would lower the cost of flying with young children — saving a family of four as much as $200 per roundtrip if seat fees are $25, the agency claims.

To ensure family unity, airlines would be obligated to provide adjacent seating for parents and young children at no cost within 48 hours of booking, provided seats are available.

In situations where adjacent seating is unavailable at the time of booking, passengers would have the option of a full refund or waiting for seats to become available. If family seating remains unconfirmed before boarding, airlines must offer free rebooking on a subsequent flight with available adjacent seats or permit passengers to board in non-adjacent seats without penalty.

To enforce compliance, the proposed rule includes provisions for civil penalties against airlines that fail to adhere to these regulations.

“Many airlines still don’t guarantee family seating, which means parents wonder if they’ll have to pay extra just to be seated with their young child. Flying with children is already complicated enough without having to worry about that,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The new rule we’re proposing today, which would ban airlines from charging parents a fee to sit with their children, is another example of the Biden-Harris Administration using all the tools at our disposal to lower costs for families and protect consumers from unfair practices.”

Tolga Karadeniz

Tolga is a dedicated aviation enthusiast with years of experience in the industry. From an early age, his fascination with aviation went beyond a mere passion for travel, evolving into a deliberate exploration of the complex mechanics and engineering behind aircraft. As a writer, he aims to share insights , providing readers with a view into the complex inner workings of the aviation industry.

Air Zimbabwe Restarts Johannesburg Service

Zimbabwe’s national carrier has restarted services between Harare and Johannesburg. The restarted service will operate four times weekly.

Lorne Philipot

Thursday, August 01, 2024 at 11:28 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An Air Zimbabwe Boeing 737. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons | Montague Smith)

Zimbabwe’s national carrier has restarted services between Harare and Johannesburg. The restarted service will operate four times a week. Flights operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Air Zimbabwe reintroduced this service on Monday, July 29.

Important Air Service Resumed

Air Zimbabwe’s flights between Johannesburg and Harare connect two important centers in Southern Africa. The route is an important one, with high demand for point-to-point as well as connecting services.

Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital city, serves as its economic, cultural, and political hub. The city is also the commercial heart of Zimbabwe, with key industries including manufacturing, agriculture, mining, and services.

Johannesburg, South Africa’s commercial center is an important hub for most regional and intercontinental airlines. The city opens up connectivity for business and tourist travelers.

Reintroducing London Services

Plans are also underway to reintroduce services between Harare and London. Zimbabwe’s Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona said that Zimbabwe intends to capitalize on its central location within the South African Development Community (SADC) and to boost trade and tourism links.

“Air Zimbabwe, from July 29 is set to resume the Harare-Johannesburg flight. And we are not going to end there, but we are also going to resume the Harare-London flight,” Mhona said.

Due to political and economic turmoil Zimbabweans are now dispersed throughout the world but many are now based in the United Kingdom. Large numbers of Zimbabweans travel to and from Europe via South Africa, Kenya, Dubai, and Ethiopia. The restart of nonstop services between Harare and London would cut travel times for international visitors and Zimbabweans traveling to and from Zimbabwe.

Additional Aircraft Expected

Zimababwe’s national carrier, Air Zimbabwe, will need a widebody aircraft to be able to operate London services. Mhona told the country’s national assembly last year that an additional aircraft was required. Delivery of this is expected in the very near future.

Furthermore, upgrades to Harare’s Robert Mugabe International Airport mean that the airport is better able to handle increased passenger numbers as well as more aircraft. The airport is actually seeing a growing number of airlines adding scheduled services to Harare. Uganda Airlines will soon launch flights to Harare.

Lorne Philipot

Lorne is a South Africa-based aviation journalist. He was captivated and fascinated by flying from the day he took his first airline flight. With a passion for aviation in his blood, he has flown to destinations in all corners of the globe. Lorne has traveled extensively and lived in various countries. Drawing on his travels and passion for aviation, Lorne enjoys writing about airlines, routes, networks, and new developments.