The Department of Transportation is conducting an investigation into Delta Air Lines following a series of flight cancellations that occurred after a global technology outage last week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment and vowed to uphold this right. He noted that his department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the outages.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in fully restoring its operations following a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike that affected multiple sectors worldwide. The update led to defects in Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users without access and encountering technical issues, including the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The impact of the outage was widespread, affecting various industries such as healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, but airlines and airports experienced the most severe disruptions. FlightAware reported that on Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and an additional 5,171 flights were canceled, with Delta particularly hard hit.
The airline canceled approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday, followed by more than 2,500 cancellations on Sunday and Monday, alongside 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, there were already 738 flight cancellations or delays reported.
In response, Delta CEO Ed Bastian stated, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He extended his apologies to those affected by the travel disruptions, acknowledging the difficulty caused by such events. Bastian explained that Delta relies on a significant number of Microsoft Windows applications, including one for crew tracking that failed to adjust due to the system issues. To assist passengers, Delta is offering a travel waiver that allows customers to change their flights without charge, in addition to providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transport.