The Department of Transportation is probing Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer protections are in place as the airline continues to cancel flights following a global tech outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers, stating on social media that his department has received numerous complaints about Delta’s handling of the tech disruptions.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has struggled to restore normal operations after a malfunctioning software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike affected systems worldwide late last Thursday. This flaw particularly disrupted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users dealing with issues, including the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly every major industry, with healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions all facing challenges. Airlines, however, experienced significant disruptions, with FlightAware reporting that more than 46,000 flights were delayed and 5,171 were canceled last Friday alone. Delta suffered the most, leading the cancellations.
The airline canceled around 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, with over 2,500 additional cancellations occurring on Sunday and Monday, along with 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, FlightAware reports that 738 flights have also been canceled or delayed.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, communicated his regret in a statement made on Sunday, explaining that canceling flights is a last resort. He acknowledged the difficulties faced by travelers whose plans have been disrupted and reassured customers that Delta is committed to connecting the world.
Bastian noted that Delta relies on numerous applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including a crew tracking tool that was hindered by the system failure. To mitigate the impact on customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation services.