The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure that the airline is adequately addressing consumer concerns following a series of flight cancellations stemming from a global technology outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers, stating on social media that he would advocate for the protection of that right. He noted that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the recent technical disruptions.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced challenges in restoring full operations after a faulty software update by the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike impacted various businesses internationally. The update led to issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access critical systems and confronting the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The impact of the outage was widespread, disrupting nearly every major industry, including healthcare, retail, delivery services, and financial sectors. However, airlines and airports experienced significant setbacks; on Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and an additional 5,171 were canceled, as reported by FlightAware. Delta was among the hardest hit.
The airline canceled approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday, followed by over 2,500 cancellations on Sunday and Monday, along with 3,441 delayed flights. On Tuesday, FlightAware reported that 738 flights had either been canceled or delayed.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, acknowledged the inconvenience in a Sunday statement, affirming that canceling flights is a last resort. He apologized to affected travelers and reiterated Delta’s commitment to connecting people around the world. Bastian pointed out that a significant number of the airline’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including a crew tracking tool that failed to adapt to the operational disruptions.
To assist its customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing passengers to change their flights at no cost, alongside offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.