The Department of Transportation is currently probing Delta Air Lines to ensure that the airline is treating consumers fairly, following the cancellation of numerous flights after a recent global technology outage.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers in a statement shared on social media, mentioning that his department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the outages.
Delta Air Lines, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced significant challenges in resuming normal operations after a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike which occurred late last Thursday. This issue impacted businesses worldwide, particularly affecting Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, which left many corporate users with disrupted access to their systems and some encountering the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
Various industries felt the repercussions of this incident, but airlines and airports were among the hardest hit. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and more than 5,171 were canceled, with Delta suffering the most extensive disruptions.
Delta reported canceling around 3,500 flights between Friday and Saturday, with more than 2,500 additional cancellations on Sunday and Monday, alongside delays affecting another 3,441 flights. By Tuesday, another 738 flights had either been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the disruptions, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to every one of you who have been impacted by these events. Delta is in the business of connecting the world, and we understand how difficult it can be when your travels are disrupted.”
Bastian noted that Delta relies heavily on numerous applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including a crew tracking tool that was unable to function due to the system shutdown. In response to the situation, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to alter their flight arrangements without charge, in addition to offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.