The Department of Transportation is looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is adequately addressing consumer concerns amid ongoing flight cancellations triggered by a global technology failure last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized in a social media statement the importance of fair treatment for all airline passengers, responding to numerous complaints about Delta’s handling of the situation following the tech outages.
Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in restoring its operations several days after a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which occurred late Thursday and affected businesses worldwide. A flaw in this update disrupted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving corporate users struggling with access issues, including the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had a widespread impact, affecting various sectors including healthcare, retail, delivery services, and financial institutions. Airlines experienced significant disruptions, with over 46,000 flights delayed and 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, according to FlightAware, with Delta being the most affected.
The airline reported approximately 3,500 flight cancellations on Friday and Saturday, along with more than 2,500 cancellations and 3,441 delays on Sunday and Monday. As of Tuesday, 738 flights had also been canceled or delayed.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, expressed regret over the situation, stating that canceling flights is a last resort. He acknowledged the frustration faced by passengers and reiterated Delta’s commitment to connecting the world. He mentioned that a number of the airline’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, which contributed to the operational disruptions. In response, Delta is offering customers a travel waiver that allows free flight changes, as well as meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transport options.