The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is properly addressing consumer concerns following a series of flight cancellations linked to a recent global technology outage.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment and expressed commitment to upholding that right. He noted that his department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, which is based in Atlanta, has struggled to fully restore operations after a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike last Thursday adversely affected numerous businesses worldwide. A flaw in the update impacted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users without access to essential systems and contending with significant technical issues.
The incident disrupted various major industries, including healthcare, retail, delivery services, and financial institutions, with airlines and airports experiencing some of the most severe repercussions. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and 5,171 were canceled, according to FlightAware, with Delta suffering the most from these issues.
The airline reported canceling approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday. Additionally, more than 2,500 flights were canceled on Sunday and Monday, with 3,441 delays noted during the same period. On Tuesday, 738 flights were either canceled or delayed, as recorded by FlightAware.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian issued an apology to those affected by the disruptions, explaining that canceling a flight is always a last resort. He acknowledged the challenges travelers face when their plans are interrupted and reiterated Delta’s commitment to connecting the world.
Bastian mentioned that Delta relies on numerous applications using Microsoft Windows, including tools for crew tracking that could not adapt to the disruptions caused by the system shutdown. In response, Delta has issued a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights without charge and has provided meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.