The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure proper consumer protection as the airline faces ongoing flight cancellations following a global technology outage last week.
In a recent social media statement, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment, and he is committed to upholding that right. Buttigieg mentioned that the department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s handling of the situation stemming from the tech outage.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has struggled to fully restore its operations after a problematic software update from the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which occurred late Thursday and affected companies globally. The flawed update disrupted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, preventing corporate users from accessing their systems and causing issues such as the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The outage impacted nearly every major industry, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. Airlines, particularly Delta, suffered significant disruptions. On the following Friday, over 46,000 flights experienced delays, with an additional 5,171 cancellations, as reported by FlightAware. Delta alone canceled approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday and over 2,500 more on Sunday and Monday, alongside 3,441 delays. By Tuesday, the airline had already seen 738 flights canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He acknowledged the difficulties faced by travelers due to these disruptions and offered apologies to those affected. Bastian noted that Delta relies on numerous applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including tools for tracking crew assignments, which were unable to adjust due to the system failures.
To assist affected customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.