The Department of Transportation is actively investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure that the company is adequately addressing consumer concerns in light of ongoing flight cancellations following last week’s widespread tech outage.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the rights of airline passengers, stating on social media that his department has received numerous complaints about Delta’s response to the tech disruptions.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced challenges in restoring operations after a flawed software update from the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike affected businesses globally. A flaw in the update impacted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, preventing corporate users from accessing their systems, leading to significant disruptions, including the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had a widespread impact across various industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, with airlines and airports experiencing severe consequences. Data from FlightAware indicated that over 46,000 flights were delayed and more than 5,171 were canceled on a single day, with Delta suffering the most.
On Friday and Saturday alone, Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights. The airline went on to cancel over 2,500 flights throughout Sunday and Monday, alongside delays affecting an additional 3,441 flights. As of Tuesday, FlightAware reported that 738 flights had been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian addressed the situation, stating that canceling flights is a measure of last resort and not taken lightly. He expressed his apologies to all affected travelers, reiterating Delta’s commitment to connecting the world and the difficulties posed by travel disruptions.
Bastian noted that Delta relies on numerous applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including tools for crew tracking, which struggled to adapt due to the system issues. In response, Delta has offered a travel waiver that allows customers to change their flights at no cost, along with meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.