The Department of Transportation has launched an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer protections are being upheld as the airline continues to face cancellations following a recent global tech failure.
Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced on social media that all airline passengers are entitled to fair treatment, emphasizing that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the technology issues.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has struggled to regain normal operations after a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike last Thursday caused disruptions worldwide. A flaw in the update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access crucial systems and facing issues such as the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The widespread incident affected multiple sectors, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, but airlines and airports were particularly hard hit. On Friday alone, there were over 46,000 delayed flights and approximately 5,171 cancellations as reported by FlightAware, with Delta being the most significantly impacted.
The airline reported canceling around 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday. Over the weekend, Delta canceled more than 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday and experienced over 3,400 delays. On Tuesday, the airline saw 738 flights canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the disruptions, stating that canceling a flight is a measure of last resort. He acknowledged the challenges travelers face when their plans are disrupted and apologized to those affected. Bastian highlighted that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for various applications, including a tool used for crew tracking that was hampered by the system outage. In response, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change flights without penalty, in addition to providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.