The Department of Transportation is looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure that consumer rights are upheld amid ongoing flight cancellations following a recent global tech failure. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stated on social media Tuesday that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment, in light of the “hundreds of complaints” received regarding Delta’s response to the technical issues.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in returning to normal operations after a problematic software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike last Thursday impacted various businesses worldwide. A flaw in this update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving corporate users unable to access their systems, with some experiencing the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The tech outage had a widespread impact across multiple industries, from healthcare to retail and financial services. Airlines and airports, however, appeared to be among the hardest hit. On the day of the incident alone, over 46,000 flights experienced delays, with 5,171 cancellations reported by FlightAware. Delta Airlines was particularly affected.
The airline canceled approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday and reported over 2,500 cancellations on Sunday and Monday, along with more than 3,400 delays. By Tuesday, FlightAware noted that 738 flights had again faced cancellations or delays.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret on Sunday, stating that canceling a flight is a last resort and that the company does not take it lightly. He apologized to all affected customers, emphasizing Delta’s commitment to connecting the world and acknowledging the difficulties posed by travel disruptions.
Bastian explained that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for several applications, including a crew tracking tool that was hindered by the system shutdown. To assist impacted passengers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.