The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is addressing consumer concerns amid ongoing flight cancellations following a global tech outage last week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the rights of airline passengers, stating on social media that, “All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” This comes after Buttigieg revealed that the Department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s handling of the recent tech issues.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced challenges in restoring operations days after a flawed software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike affected various global businesses. This update caused issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leading many corporate users to experience significant disruptions, including the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The impact of the incident was widespread, affecting numerous sectors such as healthcare, delivery, retail, and finance. Airlines and airports experienced extensive disruptions, with over 46,000 flights delayed and more than 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, according to FlightAware. Delta was particularly hard hit.
On Friday and Saturday, Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights. Additionally, it canceled more than 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday, with another 3,441 delays reported. On Tuesday, reports indicated that 738 flights had been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the cancellations, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to every one of you who have 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 explained that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for a significant number of applications, including tools for crew tracking that were unable to function due to the outage. To assist affected travelers, Delta announced a travel waiver allowing customers to change flights without charge, alongside offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.