The Department of Transportation is conducting an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure the company is adequately addressing consumer issues following its ongoing flight cancellations linked to a recent global technology outage.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers, stating on social media that his department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the disruptions caused by the outage.
Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, has been struggling to restore normal operations after a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike affected many businesses globally. The update had a detrimental impact on Microsoft Windows operating systems, leaving numerous corporate users without access to their systems, with some encountering critical errors commonly known as the “Blue Screen of Death.”
The outage had far-reaching effects, disrupting nearly every major industry, including healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial organizations. The airline industry, in particular, experienced significant issues: over 46,000 flights were delayed and more than 5,171 flights were canceled on Friday alone, as reported by FlightAware, with Delta being the most impacted.
Delta reported canceling around 3,500 flights over the weekend, with more than 2,500 additional cancellations on Sunday and Monday, along with 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, 738 flights had also been canceled or delayed.
In response to the disruptions, Delta CEO Ed Bastian stated, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He extended apologies to those affected, acknowledging the challenges travelers face due to disruptions. Bastian highlighted that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for various applications, including a crucial crew tracking tool that was hindered by the system malfunction.
To assist affected customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing for changes to flights at no additional cost, alongside providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.