The Department of Transportation is conducting an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is properly addressing consumer concerns following a series of flight cancellations related to a recent global technology outage.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized on social media that all airline passengers deserve to be treated fairly and indicated that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the situation.
Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, has faced significant challenges returning to normal operations after a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike last Thursday affected various businesses worldwide. The update caused issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users struggling to access their systems, even encountering the dreaded “Blue Screen of Death.”
The fallout from the incident impacted nearly every major industry, with healthcare providers, delivery companies, retailers, and financial institutions among those affected. Airlines, in particular, experienced severe disruptions, with FlightAware reporting over 46,000 flight delays and more than 5,171 cancellations on just that Friday. Delta was significantly impacted by these issues.
Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday. The airline subsequently canceled more than 2,500 flights and delayed 3,441 on Sunday and Monday. On Tuesday alone, there were reports of 738 additional flights being canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the situation, stating that canceling flights is a last resort and not taken lightly. He apologized to all passengers affected by the disruptions, emphasizing Delta’s commitment to connecting the world and the challenges that arise when travel plans are interrupted.
Bastian noted that a significant portion of Delta’s systems rely on Microsoft Windows, including tools related to crew tracking that were hindered due to the software issues. To assist customers, Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing for free flight changes, in addition to offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation services.