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 linked to a global technology outage last week.
Microsoft has pointed the finger at Delta regarding this widespread IT disruption. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for all airline passengers, stating, “I will make sure that right is upheld.” He noted that his department has received numerous complaints about Delta’s response to the situation.
Delta, based in Atlanta, is still struggling to restore its operations following a software update failure from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike that occurred late Thursday. This malfunction affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, disrupting access for many corporate users and causing significant issues, including the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The fallout from the outage affected nearly every major industry, including healthcare, delivery, retail, and finance, with airlines and airports particularly hard hit. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights experienced delays, and approximately 5,171 were canceled, as reported by FlightAware, with Delta being the most affected.
Delta reported the cancellation of roughly 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday. Further, it canceled more than 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday and faced another 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, the airline had already canceled or delayed 738 flights.
In response to the situation, Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He acknowledged the challenges faced by travelers due to these disruptions and reiterated Delta’s commitment to connecting the world.
Bastian explained that a significant number of Delta’s operational applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including tools essential for crew tracking that were unable to function due to the system issues. In light of the disruptions, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights at no cost and is also providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.