The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure the company is appropriately addressing consumer rights following a series of flight cancellations linked to a global tech outage. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized via social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment, noting that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the recent technical issues.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced challenges resuming full operations after a flawed software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which occurred last Thursday. This update negatively affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access their systems and facing issues like the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The impact of the incident was widespread, affecting various sectors, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. However, the airline industry experienced particularly severe disruptions, with over 46,000 flights delayed and more than 5,000 canceled on that Friday alone, as reported by FlightAware. Delta was among the hardest-hit carriers.
Over the weekend, Delta canceled about 3,500 flights. Reports indicated that the airline scrapped more than 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday and had further delays of 3,441 flights. By Tuesday, 738 flights were reported as canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the disruptions, stating that canceling a flight is a last resort and not taken lightly. He apologized to affected travelers and acknowledged Delta’s mission to connect the world, recognizing the difficulties caused by these travel interruptions.
Bastian mentioned that a significant number of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including a critical tool for crew tracking that was unable to operate due to the shutdown. In response, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change flights at no additional cost and is offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.