The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is properly addressing consumer needs following the recent wave of flight cancellations triggered by a global tech outage.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment, emphasizing his department’s commitment to uphold passengers’ rights. He noted that the department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the tech issues.
Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in restoring normal operations after a problematic software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike last Thursday affected companies worldwide. A malfunction in the update impacted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access their systems and facing disruptions, including the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident disrupted nearly every major sector, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, with the airline industry being particularly hard hit. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed and about 5,171 were canceled, as reported by FlightAware, with Delta experiencing the most significant impact.
The airline has canceled approximately 3,500 flights over the weekend, followed by an additional 2,500 cancellations and more than 3,400 delays on Sunday and Monday. By Tuesday, there had already been 738 flight cancellations or delays.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the disruptions, stating that canceling flights is a last resort for the airline. He apologized to affected customers, recognizing the challenges posed by travel interruptions. Bastian explained that many of Delta’s operational tools rely on Microsoft Windows, which hindered their ability to manage crew schedules during the outage. To assist impacted travelers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes and is offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.