The Department of Transportation has launched an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure that the airline is properly addressing consumer concerns amidst ongoing flight cancellations following a global tech outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers in a statement posted on social media Tuesday. He noted that his department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the technical difficulties.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced significant challenges in fully restoring its operations after a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike impacted numerous businesses worldwide. This defect affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access their systems and experiencing issues such as the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The outage affected nearly every major sector, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and financial institutions, but airlines were particularly hard hit. On a single Friday, over 46,000 flights were delayed and more than 5,000 canceled, with Delta experiencing the worst of the disruptions.
The airline reported canceling around 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday, with over 2,500 additional cancellations on Sunday and Monday, alongside approximately 3,441 flight delays. On Tuesday alone, 738 flights were either canceled or delayed.
Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He offered apologies to all customers affected by the disruptions, reaffirming Delta’s commitment to connectivity and understanding the challenges caused by travel interruptions.
Bastian explained that Delta relies heavily on applications utilizing Microsoft Windows, including a tool for crew tracking that was hindered by the system shutdown. To assist affected travelers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change flights at no cost, along with providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.