The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is adequately addressing consumer concerns as it continues to cancel flights following a recent global tech failure.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized that all airline passengers have the right to fair treatment and assured that this right would be upheld. He indicated that his department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the tech disruptions.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced difficulties in returning to normal operations days after a flawed software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike affected global businesses. This problematic update impacted Microsoft’s Windows systems, causing corporate users to lose access to their systems and, in some instances, face the dreaded “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident adversely impacted nearly every major industry, particularly healthcare, delivery, retail, and financial sectors, with airlines and airports experiencing the most significant disruptions. On just one day, Friday, there were over 46,000 flight delays and 5,171 cancellations, according to FlightAware data, with Delta particularly affected.
The airline reported the cancellation of approximately 3,500 flights over the weekend, with more than 2,500 cancellations reported on Sunday and Monday, along with 3,441 further delays. By Tuesday, Delta had already canceled or delayed another 738 flights.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian stated that canceling flights is always a last resort and expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers. He highlighted the airline’s commitment to connecting the world and acknowledged the challenges of travel disruptions.
Bastian further explained that Delta heavily relies on Microsoft Windows for many applications, including a crew tracking tool that failed to adapt to the shutdown. To assist affected customers, Delta has rolled out a travel waiver allowing free flight changes and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.