The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer protection as the airline continues to face cancellations following a global tech outage last week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stated on social media Tuesday, “All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” He noted that his department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the tech issues.
Atlanta-based Delta has been struggling to restore operations in the wake of a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which occurred late Thursday and affected companies worldwide. This update caused a defect in Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving users unable to access their systems and, in some instances, facing the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident affected nearly every major industry, including healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions, but airlines and airports were particularly hard-hit. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and more than 5,171 were canceled, according to FlightAware, with Delta bearing the brunt of the impact.
Delta reported the cancellation of approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday. FlightAware indicates that Delta canceled more than 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday, and another 3,441 flights were delayed. On Tuesday, the airline had already canceled or delayed 738 flights.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed his regrets in a statement on Sunday, saying, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to everyone who has 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 mentioned that Delta relies on a “significant number of applications” that depend on Microsoft Windows, including tools related to crew tracking, which were unable to adjust due to the system shutdown. In response, Delta has announced a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights free of charge, in addition to providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.