The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure that the airline is adequately addressing consumer concerns following a series of flight cancellations resulting from a global tech outage last week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of passenger rights, stating on social media, “All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” He mentioned that his department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the recent tech issues.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in resuming regular operations after a problematic software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike disrupted services globally. A flaw in this update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leading to significant access issues for corporate users, with some experiencing the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly every major industry, including healthcare, retail, delivery, and finance. However, the aviation sector suffered particularly severe consequences; on Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed and 5,171 flights were canceled, as reported by FlightAware, with Delta experiencing the most cancellations.
Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, and by Sunday and Monday, the airline had scrapped more than 2,500 flights while delaying another 3,441. As of Tuesday, an additional 738 flights were reported as canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian issued an apology to affected passengers, 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.” He explained that a “significant number of applications” utilized by Delta rely on Microsoft Windows, including tools necessary for crew tracking that were hindered by the outage. In response, Delta has provided a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights for free, along with meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transport options.