The Department of Transportation is conducting an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is addressing consumer concerns following a series of flight cancellations linked to a global tech outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers, stating on social media, “All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” He noted that the department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the tech issues.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in resuming normal operations after a faulty software update by cybersecurity company CrowdStrike disrupted businesses globally. This update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leading to access issues for corporate users and instances of the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident’s impact was widespread, influencing various industries, from healthcare to finance. Airlines and airports were particularly hard hit, with FlightAware reporting that over 46,000 flights were delayed and another 5,171 canceled on Friday alone. Delta bore the brunt of these disruptions, canceling approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday and an additional 2,500 flights from Sunday to Monday, along with delays affecting 3,441 flights.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, acknowledged the situation, 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. Delta is in the business of connecting the world, and we understand how difficult it can be when your travels are disrupted.”
Bastian explained that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows applications, including a crew tracking tool that was affected by the system breakdown. To assist impacted travelers, Delta has issued a travel waiver allowing changes to flights at no charge, along with meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.