The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer rights are being upheld as the airline faces ongoing flight cancellations following a recent global tech outage.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for all airline passengers in a statement shared on social media. He noted that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the disruptions caused by the tech issues.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has been struggling to return to normal operations days after a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike last Thursday. This update negatively affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access their systems, with some experiencing the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The outage had widespread effects across various industries, severely disrupting healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions. Airlines were particularly hard hit; on Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed and around 5,171 were canceled, affecting Delta more than any other airline.
In total, Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday. According to FlightAware, the airline canceled more than 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday and delayed an additional 3,441 flights. By Tuesday, 738 flights had already been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the situation, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to everyone impacted by these events.” He noted that Delta relies heavily on applications using Microsoft Windows, including a tool for crew tracking that failed to process changes due to the system’s shutdown.
To assist affected customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver that allows them to change flights without penalty and is offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.