The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer protections are being upheld, as the airline continues to face cancellations following a substantial global tech outage last week.
In a recent statement, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment and that he will ensure this right is maintained. Buttigieg noted that his department has received “hundreds of complaints” related to Delta’s handling of the tech issues.
The Atlanta-based airline has struggled to return to normal operations after a failed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike last Thursday impacted various businesses globally. A glitch in the update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, causing significant disruptions for corporate users, some of whom experienced the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had broad repercussions, affecting nearly every major industry, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. Airlines were particularly hard-hit, with more than 46,000 flights delayed and over 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, as reported by FlightAware. Delta experienced the most significant impact of all.
Delta canceled around 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday, with more than 2,500 flights canceled and an additional 3,441 delayed over Sunday and Monday. By Tuesday, 738 flights were either canceled or delayed.
In response to these disruptions, Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed his regret in a statement on Sunday, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to every one of you who have been impacted by these events.” Bastian noted that Delta heavily relies on various applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including a vital crew tracking tool that was unable to manage changes due to the system shutdown. To assist affected customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing them to change flights for free, alongside providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.