The Department of Transportation is looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure the company adequately addresses consumer concerns amidst ongoing flight cancellations following a global technology failure last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment and emphasized his commitment to upholding that standard. He noted that the department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta Air Lines, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced challenges in fully restoring operations after a problematic software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike affected businesses worldwide. This glitch impacted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access their systems, with some encountering what is known as the “Blue Screen of Death.”
This incident severely disrupted various sectors, but the airline industry was particularly impacted. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed and another 5,171 were canceled, according to FlightAware, with Delta experiencing the most significant disruptions.
Delta reported canceling approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday, with over 2,500 flights canceled on Sunday and Monday and an additional 3,441 delayed. As of Tuesday, 738 flights had also been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the inconveniences caused, stating that canceling flights is always a last resort. He acknowledged the challenges travelers face when their plans are disrupted and apologized to those affected.
Bastian explained that Delta relies on numerous applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including a tool for crew tracking, which could not adjust due to the system shutdown. To assist customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation services.