The Department of Transportation is conducting an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure that consumer rights are upheld as the airline continues to face flight cancellations following a global tech outage that occurred last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers in a statement via social media on Tuesday. He mentioned that numerous complaints have been lodged regarding Delta’s handling of the situation stemming from the tech failures.
Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines has struggled to normalize its operations in the wake of a problematic software update implemented by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike. This update, released late Thursday, adversely affected many businesses worldwide. A flaw in the update impacted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access their systems and, more distressingly, encountering the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had widespread ramifications across nearly every major industry, including healthcare, delivery, retail, and finance. Airlines and airports faced particularly severe disruptions. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and an additional 5,171 were canceled, as reported by FlightAware. Delta witnessed the most significant impact.
Delta Airlines canceled approximately 3,500 flights throughout Friday and Saturday. Between Sunday and Monday, it canceled more than 2,500 flights and delayed another 3,441. By Tuesday, an additional 738 flights had either been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian addressed the situation, affirming that canceling a flight is always a last resort and not a decision taken lightly. He apologized to all passengers affected by the disruptions, reiterating the airline’s commitment to connecting the world and acknowledging the challenges faced by travelers during such incidents.
Bastian further revealed that Delta relies on a substantial number of applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including a tool for crew tracking that was unable to process changes due to the system failure. In response to the disruptions, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to alter their flight plans without incurring fees, in addition to providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.