The Department of Transportation is conducting an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer rights are being upheld following the airline’s ongoing flight cancellations due to a recent global technology outage.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment and reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding that right. He noted that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta Air Lines, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced significant operational challenges after a flawed software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike affected businesses worldwide last Thursday. This update created issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, causing corporate users to encounter access problems and the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted a vast range of industries, including healthcare providers, delivery services, retail, and financial sectors, but airlines and airports experienced the most severe disruptions. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed and an additional 5,171 were canceled, according to FlightAware, with Delta being the hardest hit.
Delta reported canceling around 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, with more than 2,500 additional flights canceled on Sunday and Monday, along with another 3,441 delays. By Tuesday, 738 flights had also been canceled or delayed.
In response, Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the inconvenience caused, stating that cancellations are always a last resort and not taken lightly. He acknowledged the challenges faced by travelers due to disruptions and reiterated Delta’s commitment to connecting the world.
Bastian explained that Delta relies on a considerable number of applications that operate on Microsoft Windows, including tools essential for crew tracking, which were affected by the system failures. To assist impacted customers, Delta is offering a travel waiver that allows for free flight changes, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transport.