The Department of Transportation is looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer rights are being respected as the airline continues to face flight cancellations following a global tech outage that occurred last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment, pledging to uphold that right. He noted that the department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s handling of the tech issues.
Based in Atlanta, Delta has struggled to fully restore its operations days after a flawed software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike. The update negatively affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leading corporate users to encounter significant disruptions, including the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
Numerous major industries faced challenges from this incident, impacting healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions, with airlines and airports experiencing some of the most severe consequences. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were disrupted, with an additional 5,171 cancellations reported, according to FlightAware. Delta was particularly affected.
Delta announced the cancellation of approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday. It continued to struggle on Sunday and Monday, canceling over 2,500 flights and delaying another 3,441. By Tuesday, 738 flights had already faced cancellations or delays.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the situation, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to everyone affected by these events. Delta is committed to connecting the world, and we understand the challenges posed by disrupted travel.”
Bastian explained that many of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including a tool for tracking crew assignments, which was unable to function due to the system failure. To assist customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes and is offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation support.