The Department of Transportation is conducting an inquiry into Delta Air Lines to ensure that the airline is adequately addressing consumer issues in the wake of ongoing flight cancellations following a global technology failure last week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment, and he is committed to upholding that right. His comments follow numerous complaints received by his department concerning Delta’s response to the technology outages.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, is still working to restore full operations days after a flawed software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike caused disruptions for various businesses globally. This update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leading many corporate users to experience system access issues, including encountering the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The impact of this incident was widespread, affecting nearly every major industry, including healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions. Airlines and airports, however, faced significant challenges, with over 46,000 flight delays and 5,171 cancellations reported on Friday alone, as per FlightAware data. Delta experienced the most severe disruptions.
The airline reported canceling approximately 3,500 flights during Friday and Saturday. On Sunday and Monday, Delta canceled more than 2,500 flights and delayed an additional 3,441. As of Tuesday, 738 flights had already been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the inconvenience to affected travelers, emphasizing that canceling a flight is a last resort for the airline. He noted that Delta is committed to connecting people around the world and recognizes the difficulties that travel disruptions can cause.
Bastian also mentioned that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for various applications, including one used for crew tracking, which was unable to handle the system’s shutdown. In response, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights at no extra cost and offered meal vouchers, accommodation, and transportation assistance.