The Department of Transportation is conducting an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is adequately addressing consumer needs following a series of flight cancellations linked to a recent global technology outage.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized on social media that all airline passengers have the right to fair treatment. He mentioned that his department had received numerous complaints about Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced challenges in restoring its operations after a flawed software update conducted by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike impacted various businesses worldwide. This issue particularly affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving corporate users unable to access their systems, with many experiencing the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident disrupted nearly every major industry, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, but airlines and airports were among the hardest hit. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and 5,171 were canceled, as reported by FlightAware, with Delta suffering the most significant impact.
Delta announced that it canceled approximately 3,500 flights over the weekend, with additional cancellations exceeding 2,500 on Sunday and Monday, alongside another 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, 738 flights had either been canceled or delayed, according to FlightAware data.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed his regret, stating that canceling flights is always a last resort. He apologized to those affected and acknowledged the difficulties caused by the travel disruptions. He noted that Delta relies on various Microsoft Windows applications, including a crucial tool for crew tracking that struggled to adapt to the sudden shutdown. To assist travelers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation services.