The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure that the airline is properly addressing consumer needs amid ongoing flight cancellations following a global technical outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for all airline passengers, stating on social media that his office has received numerous complaints concerning Delta’s response to the recent tech issues.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in returning to normal operations after a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike last Thursday caused widespread disruptions. This update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users without system access and encountering the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly all major industries, including healthcare, logistics, retail, and finance, but airlines and airports were particularly hard hit. More than 46,000 flights were delayed and over 5,171 were canceled on Friday alone, according to FlightAware, with Delta experiencing the most significant cancellations.
Delta reported the cancellation of approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday. The airline canceled more than 2,500 flights and delayed another 3,441 on Sunday and Monday. As of Tuesday, 738 flights had also been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the disruptions, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to everyone who has 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 also noted that a significant number of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including crucial tools for crew tracking that were affected by the system failures. In response, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights without charge and has also offered meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.