The Department of Transportation has launched an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer protection as the airline faces ongoing flight cancellations following last week’s global technology outage.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the right of all airline passengers to fair treatment, stating on social media that his department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the tech disruptions.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has struggled to return to normal operations after a problematic software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike impacted numerous businesses worldwide. This update caused issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users facing access problems, including the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident affected nearly every major sector, with airlines and airports suffering the most significant impact. On Friday alone, more than 46,000 flights were delayed, and over 5,100 were canceled, according to FlightAware, with Delta being the worst affected.
The airline reported canceling around 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday, followed by more than 2,500 cancellations over Sunday and Monday, along with 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, 738 flights had been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the disruptions caused to passengers, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” Bastian assured that Delta understands the challenges travelers face when plans are altered.
He noted that a significant number of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including tools for crew tracking that were unable to adapt following the system failure. In response to the disruptions, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights without penalty and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.