The Department of Transportation is investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer rights are being respected, as the airline continues to face cancellations following a global tech outage from last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers in a social media statement on Tuesday, mentioning that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has struggled to restore full operations in the aftermath of a failed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which occurred late Thursday. This flaw 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 tech incident impacted nearly every major industry, including healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions, but airlines and airports were particularly hard hit. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed and 5,171 were canceled, according to FlightAware, with Delta facing the brunt of the disruptions.
Delta reported canceling approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday. On Sunday and Monday, the airline canceled more than 2,500 flights and delayed an additional 3,441. Even on Tuesday, there were 738 cancellations or delays recorded.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the inconvenience caused, stating that canceling flights is a measure taken only as a last resort. He apologized to affected travelers and reaffirmed Delta’s mission to connect the world, acknowledging the challenges of travel disruptions.
Bastian noted that Delta utilizes a significant number of Microsoft Windows applications, including a crew tracking tool that malfunctioned due to the system outage. To assist customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes and is offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.