The Department of Transportation is currently looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure that it is adequately addressing consumer needs, particularly as the airline continues to experience flight cancellations following a recent global technical failure.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that “all airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” He noted that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the tech issues.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced significant operational challenges following a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike. This update, rolled out late Thursday, affected many businesses worldwide, including a malfunction in Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, which left corporate users without access to their systems and, in some cases, faced the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident disrupted nearly every major industry, with healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions among those impacted. Airlines experienced some of the most severe effects, with over 46,000 flights delayed and 5,171 canceled on a single Friday, according to FlightAware, with Delta being the most affected.
Delta reported canceling approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday, and over 2,500 additional flights were canceled on Sunday and Monday, along with 3,441 delays. Additionally, as of Tuesday, there were already 738 cancelled or delayed flights.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the situation, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to everyone who has been affected by these events. Delta is in the business of connecting the world, and we understand how difficult it can be when your travels are disrupted.”
Bastian also mentioned that a large number of Delta’s applications are reliant on Microsoft Windows, including a crew tracking tool that was unable to manage the changes due to the system shutdown. In response to the disruptions, Delta announced a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights for free and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.