The Department of Transportation is conducting an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure that the airline is fulfilling its obligations to passengers following a series of flight cancellations triggered by a recent global tech outage.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that all airline passengers have the right to fair treatment, which he is committed to uphold. He noted that the department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the situation.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has been struggling to return to normal operations after a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike disrupted numerous companies globally. A flaw in the update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access their systems and facing issues such as the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly all major industries, including healthcare, retail, delivery services, and finance, but it particularly afflicted airlines and airports. On that Friday, over 46,000 flights were delayed and more than 5,000 were canceled, with Delta being the hardest hit.
The airline canceled approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday, followed by cancellations of more than 2,500 flights over the subsequent Sunday and Monday, alongside 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, 738 additional flights have experienced cancellations or delays.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret in a statement, emphasizing that cancelling a flight is a last resort. He apologized to all customers affected by the disruptions and reaffirmed Delta’s mission to connect the world. Bastian highlighted that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows applications, including those used for crew tracking, which were impacted by the system’s shutdown. To assist affected travelers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights without charge, in addition to providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation services.