The Department of Transportation is currently examining Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is properly addressing consumer issues following a series of flight cancellations resulting from a global tech outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg asserted on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment and emphasized his commitment to uphold this right. He noted that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the situation.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has been working to resume its operations after a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike disrupted businesses globally late last Thursday. This update caused issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users dealing with significant access problems.
The tech glitch had widespread implications, affecting various sectors, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. The airline industry experienced some of the worst disruptions; on Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, with an additional 5,171 cancellations reported through FlightAware. Delta experienced the most significant impact, canceling about 3,500 flights on both Friday and Saturday, and over 2,500 more on Sunday and Monday, in addition to 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, 738 flights have already been canceled or delayed.
Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian emphasized that canceling flights is always a last resort, and he expressed regret to those affected by the cancellations. He acknowledged the challenges that travel disruptions create, stating, “Delta is in the business of connecting the world.”
Bastian also mentioned that Delta relies on a considerable number of applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, which includes a critical tool for crew tracking that was hindered by the system issues. To assist affected customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing for free flight changes, in addition to providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.