The Department of Transportation has launched an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer protection, as the airline continues to experience flight cancellations following a global tech outage last week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers, stating, “All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” He noted that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Based in Atlanta, Delta has faced significant operational challenges since a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike impacted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems. This led to widespread access issues for corporate users and resulted in numerous disruptions globally.
The outage affected nearly every major industry, notably healthcare, delivery services, retail, and financial institutions, with airlines and airports suffering the most. FlightAware reported that over 46,000 flights were delayed and more than 5,171 were canceled on the Friday following the incident, with Delta being the most severely impacted.
Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, followed by over 2,500 cancellations on Sunday and Monday, along with delays for an additional 3,441 flights. By Tuesday, the airline reported 738 flights canceled or delayed.
CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the situation, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to every one of you who have been impacted by these events.” He explained that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows applications, including tools for crew tracking, which were affected by the outage. In response, Delta has offered a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights at no cost, as well as meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.