The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure that the airline is adequately addressing passenger concerns following a series of flight cancellations linked to a global tech outage last week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the right of all airline passengers to fair treatment, stating on social media that his department has received numerous complaints about Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced difficulties in restoring full operations after a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike last Thursday affected numerous businesses worldwide. This update created issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, impacting corporate access and triggering the infamous “Blue Screen of Death” for some users.
The incident had a widespread impact, affecting various sectors, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. However, airlines and airports experienced some of the most severe disruptions. On Friday alone, FlightAware reported over 46,000 flight delays and 5,171 cancellations, with Delta being the most affected airline.
Delta canceled around 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, followed by more than 2,500 cancellations on Sunday and Monday. Additional delays were also seen, totaling 3,441. On Tuesday, the airline reported that 738 flights were either canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the disruptions, stating that canceling a flight is a last resort and not a decision made lightly. He apologized to all affected passengers and reaffirmed Delta’s commitment to connecting travelers worldwide.
Bastian noted that the airline relies on numerous applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including a crew tracking tool that failed to manage changes resulting from the shutdown. To assist disrupted travelers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.