The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is adequately addressing consumer concerns following a series of flight cancellations attributed to a recent global technology outage.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for all airline passengers, stating in a social media post, “All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” He noted that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the recent tech failures.
The Atlanta-based airline has faced significant challenges in resuming normal operations since a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike last week. This update reported issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access their systems, with some experiencing the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The tech incident had widespread repercussions across various sectors, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. However, the airline industry suffered particularly severe impacts; on just one day, FlightAware reported over 46,000 flight delays and more than 5,171 cancellations. Delta accounted for the largest share of these disruptions.
According to Delta, the airline canceled around 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, followed by an additional 2,500 cancellations on Sunday and Monday, with 3,441 flights delayed during that period. On Tuesday alone, 738 flights were reported canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian acknowledged the inconvenience caused, 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 added that Delta relies on a sizable number of applications using Microsoft Windows, including vital tools for tracking crew members, which were rendered inoperable due to the system outages. Delta has responded by offering a travel waiver that allows customers to change their flights without penalty, along with meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.