The Department of Transportation has launched an investigation into Delta Air Lines to assess its handling of consumer issues following a series of flight cancellations triggered by a global tech outage last week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg asserted on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment and emphasized his commitment to uphold this right. He previously noted that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the tech disruptions.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced challenges in fully restoring operations after a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike affected businesses worldwide. A flaw in this update impacted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leading corporate users to face significant access issues, including the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident caused widespread repercussions, affecting various sectors such as healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. Airlines experienced some of the most significant turmoil, with over 46,000 flights delayed and 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, as reported by FlightAware, with Delta being the most affected.
Delta Airlines canceled around 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday. Additionally, it canceled more than 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday, while delaying another 3,441 flights. By Tuesday, 738 flights had been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the disruptions, stating that canceling flights is a last resort and acknowledging the difficulty experienced by those affected. He mentioned that Delta relies on numerous applications utilizing Microsoft Windows, including essential tools for crew tracking, which were hindered by the system failures. To assist its customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver, allowing passengers to change their flights at no cost, and is offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.