The Department of Transportation is conducting an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer protection as the airline faces ongoing flight cancellations following a global tech outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for all airline passengers in a social media post on Tuesday. He noted that his department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the recent technological disruptions.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has struggled to return to normal operations after a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike caused widespread issues on Thursday. This defect adversely affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access vital systems and, in some cases, encountering the “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly every major sector, including healthcare, delivery, retail, and finance. However, the airline industry, particularly Delta, experienced significant disruptions. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, with an additional 5,171 cancellations, as reported by FlightAware. Delta faced the most severe consequences, canceling approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, followed by more than 2,500 cancellations and 3,441 delays on Sunday and Monday. On Tuesday, the airline recorded 738 cancellations or delays.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, expressed regret for the disruptions, stating that canceling a flight is always a last resort. He apologized to those affected, acknowledging the challenges that disrupted travel creates. Bastian explained that a substantial number of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including essential tools for crew tracking, which were hindered by the system shutdown.
In response, Delta has implemented a travel waiver, allowing customers to change flights for free, in addition to providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.