The Department of Transportation is currently probing Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is properly addressing consumer concerns following a wave of flight cancellations triggered by a global tech outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized on social media that all airline passengers are entitled to fair treatment. He noted that the department has received a significant number of complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in restoring its operations after a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike caused global disruptions. This update adversely affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leading to widespread access issues and, in some cases, the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly every major industry, including healthcare, logistics, retail, and finance, but airlines and airports experienced some of the most severe repercussions. On one day alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and more than 5,171 flights were canceled, as reported by FlightAware, with Delta being particularly affected.
The airline announced the cancellation of approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday. On Sunday and Monday, Delta canceled more than 2,500 flights and reported an additional 3,441 delays. By Tuesday, the airline experienced 738 more cancellations or delays.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, conveyed an apology to those affected, stating that canceling flights is always a last resort and not a decision taken lightly. He highlighted that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for numerous applications, including a crew tracking tool that faltered due to the system outage. To assist passengers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver, allowing them to change flights for free, along with providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.