The Department of Transportation is conducting an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is properly addressing consumer concerns following a wave of flight cancellations precipitated by a global technology outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the rights of airline passengers, stating on social media, “All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” He noted that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation caused by the tech failures.
Delta Air Lines, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced challenges in returning to normal operations after a problematic software update from CrowdStrike late Thursday disrupted numerous businesses worldwide. This update included a defect that affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users facing access issues and, in some cases, encountering the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The impact of the outage was widespread, affecting nearly every major industry, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. The airline sector experienced severe disruptions; on Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed and another 5,171 were canceled, according to FlightAware, with Delta being one of the hardest hit.
In total, Delta canceled around 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday. From Sunday to Monday, the airline canceled more than 2,500 flights and delayed approximately 3,441 others. On Tuesday, FlightAware reported that 738 flights had been either canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the situation, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He added, “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 Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for a range of applications, including a tool for crew tracking that was unable to process necessary changes due to the system outage. To assist affected travelers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights at no charge, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.