The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is adequately addressing consumer issues following a series of flight cancellations linked to a recent global tech outage.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers in a statement on social media, noting that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the situation.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has been struggling to restore full operations after a malfunction in a software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike disrupted businesses worldwide. The faulty update impacted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, resulting in many corporate users facing outages, including the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident affected nearly all major industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. However, airlines and airports experienced significant disruptions, with over 46,000 flight delays and more than 5,171 cancellations reported on Friday alone.
Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, and by Sunday and Monday, the total number of cancellations had exceeded 2,500, with an additional 3,441 flights delayed. By Tuesday, the airline had already faced 738 additional cancellations or delays.
Delta’s 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.” He acknowledged the challenges posed by the disruptions and highlighted the airline’s reliance on Microsoft Windows for various applications, including tools important for crew tracking.
To assist affected customers, Delta has enacted a travel waiver allowing passengers to change their flights at no cost and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.