The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is appropriately addressing consumer concerns following a wave of flight cancellations linked to a recent global technology outage.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment and pledged to uphold this right. He noted that the department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in restoring operations after a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike affected numerous businesses around the world. This defect specifically impacted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access their systems, with some even experiencing the dreaded “Blue Screen of Death.”
The disruptive incident impacted nearly all major sectors, including healthcare, retail, delivery services, and finance. However, airlines and airports experienced significant repercussions, with more than 46,000 flight delays and over 5,000 cancellations reported just on Friday, according to FlightAware. Delta was particularly hard hit during this period.
The airline canceled roughly 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday. Additionally, it canceled more than 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday, delaying another 3,441. As of Tuesday, FlightAware reported that 738 flights had also been canceled or delayed.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, expressed regret for the disruptions in a statement, emphasizing that canceling flights is not a decision made lightly. He apologized to all affected travelers, reiterating that Delta’s mission is to connect people globally.
Bastian explained that a considerable number of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including essential crew tracking tools that were unable to adapt to the operational changes caused by the system failure. In response to the situation, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights at no cost, along with offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.