The Department of Transportation is looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is meeting consumer needs as it continues to cancel flights following a global tech outage last week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers in a statement on social media, revealing that his department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the technical difficulties.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced challenges in resuming normal operations after a problematic software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday disrupted businesses worldwide. This update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, resulting in corporate users experiencing significant access issues, including the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had widespread repercussions across various industries including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, but the airline sector was notably impacted. FlightAware reported that on Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed and 5,171 canceled, with Delta experiencing the most disruption.
Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, and subsequently canceled more than 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday, along with delaying 3,441. On Tuesday, the airline reported 738 flights had been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian issued an apology on Sunday, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He recognized the challenges faced by travelers and reassured them that Delta is committed to resuming operations. Bastian noted that a significant number of Delta’s applications depend on Microsoft Windows, including essential tools for crew tracking that were affected by the system issues. To assist impacted travelers, Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing free flight changes and is offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation services.