The U.S. Department of Transportation is examining Delta Air Lines to ensure it is adequately addressing consumer issues following numerous flight cancellations caused by a global technology failure last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that it is critical for airline passengers to be treated fairly and that he will ensure this right is upheld. He noted that the department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the tech outages.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in fully resuming operations after a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike affected businesses worldwide. This flawed update impacted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users without access to their systems and, in some cases, experiencing the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident severely affected numerous industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, with airlines and airports being particularly hard hit. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed nationwide, along with 5,171 cancellations, according to FlightAware. Delta experienced the most significant disruption.
The airline reported canceling approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday. FlightAware statistics indicate that Delta canceled more than 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday, in addition to delaying another 3,441 flights. Already on Tuesday, the airline had canceled or delayed 738 flights.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, expressed regret for the disruptions, emphasizing that canceling flights is always a last resort for the company. He acknowledged the difficulties travelers face when their plans are disrupted and stated that Delta is dedicated to connecting people worldwide.
Bastian mentioned that Delta relies on a wide array of applications using Microsoft Windows, including crucial tools for crew tracking that were unable to handle changes due to the system issues. Delta has offered a travel waiver allowing customers to change flights without fees, along with meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation to assist affected travelers.