The Department of Transportation is currently looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure that it is adequately addressing consumer issues following a series of flight cancellations triggered by a global technology outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated on social media, “All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” He previously mentioned that his department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the tech disruptions.
Based in Atlanta, Delta has faced challenges in returning to normal operations after a problematic software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike last Thursday. This particular update adversely affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, resulting in numerous corporate users being unable to access their systems and, in some instances, experiencing the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted a wide array of industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. Airlines were significantly affected, with FlightAware reporting over 46,000 flight delays and 5,171 cancellations on Friday alone, making Delta the hardest hit.
Delta disclosed that it canceled approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday. In the days that followed, it canceled over 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday while also delaying another 3,441 flights. By Tuesday, the airline reported 738 flights either canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the situation, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to everyone who has 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 noted that Delta relies heavily on applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, which includes tools essential for crew tracking that were unable to adapt following the system’s failure. To assist affected travelers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights at no charge, and is offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.