The Department of Transportation is looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is addressing consumer needs after it has faced ongoing flight cancellations following a recent global technology outage.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment, and he intends to uphold this right. He previously noted that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the tech issues.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has been struggling to restore normal operations after a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike affected businesses worldwide. This issue impacted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users without access to their systems, with some experiencing the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
Various sectors, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, were affected by the outage, but airlines and airports faced significant disruptions. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and more than 5,171 were canceled, as reported by FlightAware, with Delta being the most affected.
The airline canceled about 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday. From Sunday to Monday, Delta canceled over 2,500 flights and delayed another 3,441. As of Tuesday, 738 flights had already been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the situation, stating that canceling flights is always a last resort. He apologized to all those impacted by the disruptions, emphasizing that Delta’s mission is to connect people around the world.
Bastian explained that Delta relies on a significant number of Microsoft Windows applications, including a crew tracking tool that failed to adapt due to the software malfunction. In response, Delta has offered a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights at no cost, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.