The Department of Transportation is conducting an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer protections are being upheld, as the airline continues to cancel flights following a global technology outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers, stating on social media that the department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the tech issues.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in restoring operations after a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike impacted numerous businesses worldwide. The flawed update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leading corporate users to experience significant disruptions, including instances of the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The outage had widespread repercussions, impacting various industries such as healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, with the airline sector being particularly hard hit. On one day alone, Friday, over 46,000 flights were delayed and 5,171 were canceled, according to data from FlightAware, with Delta sustaining the most significant impact.
Delta canceled around 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, and further cancellations followed, with more than 2,500 flights scrapped on Sunday and Monday, along with over 3,400 delays. By Tuesday, the airline had already canceled or delayed 738 flights.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the disruptions caused, stating that flight cancellations are a last resort. He acknowledged the challenges faced by travelers, emphasizing Delta’s commitment to connecting people worldwide.
Bastian noted that Delta relies on numerous applications that operate on Microsoft Windows, including tools for crew tracking that were unable to respond adequately due to the system’s failure. In response, Delta has provided customers with a travel waiver that allows free flight changes, along with meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.