The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure it is adequately addressing consumer issues following a series of flight cancellations attributed to a global tech outage last week.
Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of Transportation, emphasized the importance of passenger rights, stating, “All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” This statement comes after the department received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced significant challenges in resuming full operations after a problematic software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike affected various industries worldwide. This update had a defect that impacted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leading to system access issues for many corporate users, along with the infamous “Blue Screen of Death” problem.
The fallout from the incident was widespread, impacting nearly every major industry, including healthcare, retail, delivery services, and finance. Airlines and airports particularly suffered, with over 46,000 flights delayed and 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, as reported by FlightAware. Delta was the most affected airline.
The airline canceled approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, with an additional 2,500 cancellations over Sunday and Monday, alongside 3,441 delays. By Tuesday, Delta already reported 738 flights either canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian issued an apology, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He acknowledged the difficulties travelers face when their plans are disrupted. Bastian noted that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for many applications, including a critical crew tracking tool that was hampered by the system failure. In response, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to modify their flights without charge, in addition to providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.