The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is adequately addressing consumer needs following a series of flight cancellations triggered by a global technology outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for all airline passengers, stating on social media that he would uphold these rights. He noted that his department has already received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced significant operational challenges after a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike affected businesses worldwide. This defective update had a direct impact on Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, resulting in widespread access issues for corporate users and instances of the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The disruption affected nearly every major industry, with healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions experiencing adverse effects. Airlines, however, suffered the most, with FlightAware reporting over 46,000 flight delays and 5,171 cancellations on Friday alone. Delta was particularly hard hit, canceling approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, and over 2,500 flights were canceled on Sunday and Monday alongside 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, 738 flights had also been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the disruptions, stating that canceling flights is a last resort and not a decision made lightly. He extended his apologies to all affected travelers, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to connecting the world.
Bastian explained that Delta relies on numerous applications operating on Microsoft Windows, including a critical crew tracking tool that was unable to process necessary changes due to the system failure. To assist impacted travelers, Delta has issued a travel waiver allowing passengers to change their flights at no cost, along with provisions for meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.