The Department of Transportation is conducting an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure it is properly addressing consumer concerns following a series of flight cancellations that stemmed from a global tech failure last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for all airline passengers in a statement shared on social media. He noted that the department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, is grappling with a slow recovery in operations following a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike last Thursday that disrupted businesses globally. This update caused issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access their systems and encountering the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The fallout from this incident was widespread, affecting numerous sectors, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. The airline sector was particularly hard hit; more than 46,000 flights were delayed and over 5,171 were canceled on Friday alone, according to FlightAware. Delta Airlines suffered the most significant impact.
On Friday and Saturday, Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights, with an additional 2,500 cancellations occurring on Sunday and Monday, along with 3,441 delayed flights. On Tuesday, the airline reported 738 more cancellations or delays.
Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret in a statement issued on Sunday, insisting that canceling flights is always a last resort. “We understand how difficult it can be when your travels are disrupted,” he said.
Bastian explained that Delta relies on multiple applications utilizing Microsoft Windows, including a crew tracking tool that malfunctioned due to the system shutdown. In response to the situation, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights at no cost, as well as offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.