The U.S. Department of Transportation is examining Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is adequately addressing consumer issues following a series of flight cancellations due to a recent global technology failure.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fairness for airline passengers, assuring that their rights are being protected. He noted that the department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the technical problems.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in resuming normal operations after a problematic software update by the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike disrupted systems worldwide. A flaw in this update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users with access issues, including encounters with the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had widespread repercussions across various sectors, from healthcare to retail and finance, but the airline industry suffered particularly severe disruptions. On a single day, over 46,000 flights were delayed and around 5,171 were canceled, with Delta experiencing the most significant impact.
In response to the crisis, Delta canceled about 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, followed by more than 2,500 cancellations and 3,441 delays on Sunday and Monday. Additionally, on Tuesday, the airline reported 738 flights that faced cancellations or delays.
Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the disruptions, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to everyone affected by these events.” He acknowledged that a substantial number of the airline’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including tools essential for crew tracking, which were unable to adapt to the shutdowns. To assist affected customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.