The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer protections are being upheld, as the airline continues to cancel flights following a recent global technology outage.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for all airline passengers, stating that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the recent issue.
Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, has struggled to return to normal operations after a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike impacted businesses worldwide. This defect affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users to deal with significant disruptions, including the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had widespread repercussions, affecting various sectors such as healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. Airlines, especially Delta, were among the hardest hit, with over 46,000 flight delays and more than 5,171 cancellations reported on Friday alone.
Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, with more than 2,500 additional cancellations reported on Sunday and Monday, as well as over 3,400 delays. On Tuesday, the airline recorded 738 flight cancellations or delays.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian acknowledged the difficulty caused by flight cancellations, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to every one of you who have been impacted by these events.” Bastian further explained that the airline heavily relies on applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, complicating their operations during the outage.
To assist customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, in addition to providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.