The Department of Transportation is examining Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer protection as the airline continues to cancel flights following a global technology outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg affirmed on social media that all airline passengers are entitled to fair treatment, and he pledged to uphold that right. He noted that his department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the outages.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced challenges in completely restoring its operations several days after a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike disrupted businesses worldwide. This update contained a defect that affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving corporate users struggling with inaccessibility and, in some instances, experiencing the “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly every major industry, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. Airlines and airports were significantly affected, with more than 46,000 flights delayed and over 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, according to FlightAware, with Delta bearing the brunt of the disruptions.
On Friday and Saturday, Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights. FlightAware reported that the airline cancelled more than 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday, along with an additional 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, 738 flights had already been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret in a statement on Sunday, 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 explained that a substantial number of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including a crew tracking system that was unable to handle the alterations resulting from the system shutdown. To assist customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation services.