The Department of Transportation is examining Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is managing customer service appropriately following numerous flight cancellations tied to a recent global tech outage.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that “all airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” He noted that his department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the tech issues.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced challenges in fully resuming flights days after a problematic software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike impacted businesses globally. This update had a defect that influenced Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access their systems and dealing with issues such as the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident affected nearly every major industry, including healthcare, delivery, retail, and financial services. However, airlines and airports experienced the most significant disruptions, with over 46,000 flights delayed and more than 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, according to FlightAware. Delta was particularly hard hit.
The airline reported approximately 3,500 flight cancellations over Friday and Saturday, followed by more than 2,500 cancellations and 3,441 delays from Sunday to Monday. On Tuesday, an additional 738 flights were either canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the disruption, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He emphasized that Delta, committed to connecting the world, understands the challenges travelers face when disruptions occur. In response, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights without charge and has provided meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.