The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure that the airline is addressing consumer concerns amid ongoing flight cancellations following a global tech outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers, stating on social media Tuesday that his department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the tech issues.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced difficulties in fully resuming operations after a software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike disrupted systems worldwide. This update adversely affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leading to access issues for corporate users and, in some cases, the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly every major industry, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. Airlines suffered particularly, with over 46,000 flights delayed and more than 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, according to FlightAware, with Delta being the most affected.
Delta reported canceling approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday, following up with cancellations of over 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday, alongside 3,441 delays. Furthermore, 738 flights were canceled or delayed on Tuesday.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian acknowledged the challenges, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to everyone impacted by these events.” He stressed that Delta is committed to connecting the world and understands the frustrations of disrupted travel.
Bastian mentioned that Delta relies on a substantial number of applications utilizing Microsoft Windows, which contributed to the issues, including tools for crew tracking that were unable to adapt to the shutdown. To assist affected customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, along with offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.