The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer rights are being upheld, amid ongoing flight cancellations following a global tech outage that occurred last week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers, stating on social media that his department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, has struggled to fully restore operations after a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike affected numerous businesses globally. This update caused issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving corporate users, including those at airlines, without system access and encountering the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The widespread incident impacted nearly all major industries, with significant disruptions noted in healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. Airlines were particularly hard hit, with more than 46,000 flights delayed and 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, according to FlightAware. Delta was among the most affected carriers.
On Friday and Saturday, Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights. The cancellations continued, with over 2,500 flights canceled on Sunday and Monday, and additional delays affecting 3,441 flights. As of Tuesday, FlightAware reports that 738 flights have either been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the disruptions, stating that canceling flights is not taken lightly and is always a last resort. He apologized to all those impacted, emphasizing Delta’s commitment to connecting travelers.
Bastian explained that Delta relies on many applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including essential tools for tracking crew schedules, which were disrupted by the technology issues. In response to the outages, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change flights without incurring fees and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.