The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is prioritizing consumer rights as it continues to cancel flights following a significant global tech outage last week.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers, stating on social media, “All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” Buttigieg noted that his department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in fully restoring its operations after a flawed software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike disrupted businesses worldwide. This update caused issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving various corporate users unable to access their systems and encountering the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly every major industry, with healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions also affected. Airlines and airports experienced particularly severe disruptions. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and more than 5,171 were canceled, according to FlightAware, with Delta experiencing the most significant impact.
Delta canceled around 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday. The airline reported more than 2,500 cancellations on Sunday and Monday, along with an additional 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, 738 flights had either been canceled or delayed, according to FlightAware.
In a statement on Sunday, Delta CEO Ed Bastian stated, “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 added that Delta relies on a significant number of applications utilizing Microsoft Windows, including tools for tracking crew operations that were unable to function following the system failure. To assist affected passengers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights at no additional cost, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.