The Department of Transportation is conducting an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure proper consumer care as the airline continues to face flight cancellations following a recent global tech outage.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that “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 “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the tech issues.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has struggled to restore operations after a flawed software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike last Thursday disrupted businesses worldwide. This issue stemmed from a defect in the update that affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving corporate users unable to access their systems and, in some cases, encountering the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had a widespread impact, affecting nearly all major industries, including healthcare, delivery, retail, and finance. Airlines and airports were particularly hard hit, with over 46,000 flights delayed and 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, according to FlightAware. Delta experienced the most significant disruptions.
The airline reported canceling around 3,500 flights across its operations on Friday and Saturday, with more than 2,500 cancellations and 3,441 delays occurring on Sunday and Monday. On Tuesday, FlightAware recorded an additional 738 cancellations or delays.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret in a statement on Sunday, saying, “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. Delta is in the business of connecting the world, and we understand how difficult it can be when your travels are disrupted.”
Bastian explained that Delta relies on a “significant number of applications” utilizing Microsoft Windows, which includes a crew tracking tool that struggled to manage changes due to the system shutdown. Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change flights for free and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.