The Department of Transportation has launched an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer rights are protected, as the airline grapples with continued flight cancellations following a global tech incident. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for all airline passengers, noting that the department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the recent disruptions.
Delta Air Lines, headquartered in Atlanta, is struggling to restore full operational capabilities after a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike last Thursday affected a range of businesses worldwide. This update caused a malfunction in Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, disrupting many corporate users and leading to significant issues, including the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The fallout from this incident impacted nearly every major industry, with healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions among those affected. Airlines, in particular, faced severe challenges; on Friday alone, over 46,000 flights experienced delays, with an additional 5,171 flights canceled, according to FlightAware. Delta was disproportionately impacted, canceling approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday. Furthermore, the airline canceled more than 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday and delayed another 3,441. As of Tuesday, 738 flights had either been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the disruptions, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He apologized to all customers affected by the situation and reiterated Delta’s commitment to connectivity. The airline is offering a travel waiver, allowing customers to change flights without charges, in addition to providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.