The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is adequately addressing consumer concerns following a series of flight cancellations attributed to a recent global tech outage.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment, and he is committed to upholding that right. He noted that the department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the tech disruptions.
Delta, which is headquartered in Atlanta, has faced challenges in resuming normal operations after a problematic software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike. This update, implemented late Thursday, negatively affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, disrupting businesses worldwide and causing many corporate users to encounter significant issues, including the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had widespread implications across various sectors, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, but the airline industry experienced particularly severe effects. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, with 5,171 cancellations, according to FlightAware. Delta Airlines was notably the hardest hit.
In total, Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday, followed by more than 2,500 cancellations and 3,441 delays over Sunday and Monday. By Tuesday, at least 738 flights were either canceled or delayed.
Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian issued an apology on Sunday to those affected, stating that flight cancellations are always a last resort. He emphasized Delta’s commitment to connecting people and acknowledged the challenges travelers face when disruptions occur.
Bastian explained that Delta relies on a multitude of applications utilizing Microsoft Windows, including a tool for tracking crew assignments, which was hindered by the system failures. In response to the situation, Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing passengers to change their flights without additional fees and has offered meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.