The Department of Transportation is looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure it is adequately addressing consumer concerns following a series of flight cancellations tied to a recent global technology outage.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stated via social media Tuesday that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment, and he is committed to upholding that principle. He noted that the department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the tech disruptions.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced challenges in fully resuming operations days after a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike led to widespread business impacts. A glitch in this update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access their systems and some encountering the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had a ripple effect across various sectors, notably affecting healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions. Airlines were particularly hard hit; on Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and an additional 5,171 were canceled, as reported by FlightAware, with Delta experiencing the most significant impact.
On Friday and Saturday, Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights and reported over 2,500 cancellations on Sunday and Monday, along with more than 3,400 delays. By Tuesday, the airline faced another 738 cancellations or delays.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret to affected customers, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. Delta is in the business of connecting the world, and we understand how difficult it can be when your travels are disrupted.”
Bastian further explained that Delta relies on numerous Microsoft Windows applications, including one for crew tracking, which was unable to function due to the system outages. To mitigate the inconvenience, Delta has initiated a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights for free, alongside offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.