The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure that the airline is addressing consumer concerns following a series of flight cancellations triggered by a global tech outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the right of all airline passengers to fair treatment in a recent social media statement. He noted that the department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has been struggling to return to normal operations days after a flawed software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike impacted organizations worldwide. This update caused issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users without access to critical systems and encountering the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident affected nearly every major industry, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. Airlines and airports suffered particularly severe impacts; on Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, with more than 5,000 cancellations, as reported by FlightAware. Delta was notably the hardest hit.
On Friday and Saturday, Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights. Additionally, the airline canceled over 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday, with another 3,441 experiencing delays. The situation continued to be problematic on Tuesday, with 738 flights canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the situation in a statement, highlighting that canceling flights is a last resort and not taken lightly. He acknowledged the challenges faced by travelers affected by these disruptions and reiterated Delta’s commitment to connecting the world.
Bastian explained that many of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including a tool for tracking crew assignments that failed to adapt to the system shutdown. In response to the disruptions, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights at no extra cost, along with providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.