The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure that the airline is adequately addressing consumer concerns following a wave of flight cancellations linked to a global tech outage last week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the rights of airline passengers, stating, “All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” He mentioned that the department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s handling of the situation resulting from the technical difficulties.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced significant operational challenges in resuming its flights after a problematic software update by cybersecurity company CrowdStrike, which occurred late Thursday. This update had a negative impact on Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, causing widespread disruptions for corporate users and leaving many facing the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had far-reaching repercussions across nearly all major industries, including healthcare, retail, and banking, but the airline sector, particularly Delta, experienced the most severe impact. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and 5,171 flights were canceled, according to data from FlightAware.
Delta reported that it canceled approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday and more than 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday, with an additional 3,441 flights delayed during that period. By Tuesday, the airline had already canceled or delayed 738 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. I want to apologize to every one of you who have been impacted by these events.” He acknowledged the difficulties travelers face when their plans are disrupted and noted that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for many operations, including a crucial crew tracking tool.
In response to the challenges, Delta has introduced a travel waiver that allows customers to modify their flight plans without incurring fees, alongside providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation support.