The Department of Transportation is conducting an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is properly addressing consumer concerns following a series of flight cancellations attributed to a recent global tech outage.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the rights of airline passengers, pledging to uphold fair treatment in a social media statement on Tuesday. He previously mentioned that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the tech issues.
Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, has been struggling to restore its operations after a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike last Thursday disrupted businesses worldwide. This update caused issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leading many corporate users to experience significant disruptions, including the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The disruption affected nearly every major industry, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and financial institutions, but airlines, particularly Delta, were among the hardest hit. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights faced delays, and more than 5,171 flights were canceled, as reported by FlightAware.
Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights on the following Friday and Saturday, with an additional 2,500 cancellations on Sunday and Monday, along with 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, the airline has already canceled or delayed 738 flights.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian stated on Sunday that canceling a flight is always a last resort and that the company does not take such decisions lightly. He extended an apology to those affected by the disruptions, affirming Delta’s commitment to connecting travelers around the world.
Bastian explained that Delta relies on a “significant number of applications” that operate on Microsoft Windows, including a tool related to crew tracking that was unable to accommodate the necessary changes following the tech failure. In response to the situation, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights at no charge and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation for affected travelers.