The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer protection as the airline continues to cancel flights following a global technology outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized on social media that all airline passengers have the entitlement to fair treatment, pledging to uphold those rights. He noted that the department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced significant operational challenges days after a problematic software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike on Thursday, which adversely affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems. The failure left numerous corporate users stranded without access to their systems, with some encountering the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident affected nearly all major sectors, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. Airlines and airports experienced particularly severe impacts, with over 46,000 flights delayed and 5,171 cancellations reported on Friday alone, as stated by FlightAware. Delta experienced the highest level of disruption.
The airline announced that it canceled approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday. Additional cancellations included more than 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday, along with delays to 3,441 flights. On Tuesday, Delta faced further challenges, resulting in 738 flights being either canceled or delayed, according to FlightAware.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret in a statement, saying that canceling flights is a serious decision made only as a last resort. He extended apologies to all those affected and reaffirmed Delta’s commitment to connecting the world, acknowledging the difficulties travelers face when disruptions occur.
Bastian explained that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for various critical applications, including a crew tracking tool that was compromised by the tech failures. To assist customers during this period, Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, along with meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation services.