The Department of Transportation has launched an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is meeting its obligations to consumers, particularly as it continues to cancel flights following a recent global tech outage.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers in a statement on social media, acknowledging that his department has received “hundreds of complaints” about Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in restoring its operations after a problematic software update by the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which occurred late Thursday and impacted businesses worldwide. This update caused issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users without access and, at times, encountering the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The tech incident affected nearly every major industry, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, with airlines being particularly hard hit. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed and 5,171 were canceled, according to FlightAware, with Delta suffering the most significant impact.
Delta reported the cancellation of about 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday, in addition to more than 2,500 cancellations on Sunday and Monday, along with 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, the airline has experienced 738 more canceled or delayed flights.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the cancellations, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He acknowledged the disruption of travel for passengers and stated that Delta is committed to connecting people around the world.
Bastian also noted that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows, particularly for a crew tracking tool that struggled to adapt to the sudden system changes. To assist affected customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing for free flight changes and has provided meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.