The Department of Transportation has initiated an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is adequately addressing consumer issues following a series of flight cancellations linked to a global technology failure last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated on social media, “All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” He indicated that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the outages.
Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in restoring operations after a problematic software update provided by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike. This update, which was rolled out on Thursday, affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, disrupting access for numerous businesses worldwide and leading to widespread issues, including the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The repercussions of this incident were felt across almost every major industry, impacting healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions, with airlines and airports experiencing some of the most significant disruptions. On Friday, FlightAware reported that over 46,000 flights were delayed and an additional 5,171 were canceled, with Delta experiencing the most severe impact.
The airline reported the cancellation of about 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday, followed by over 2,500 cancellations on Sunday and Monday, along with 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, the airline had canceled or delayed 738 additional flights.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed his regrets in a statement, saying, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to every one of you who have been impacted by these events. Delta is in the business of connecting the world, and we understand how difficult it can be when your travels are disrupted.”
Bastian noted that many of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including a crew tracking system that was hindered by the technology shutdown. In response to the disruptions, Delta is offering a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights at no cost, along with meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation support.