The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is adequately addressing consumer needs following a series of flight cancellations that arose from a global technology outage last week.
As Boeing confronts challenges including delivery delays and workforce interruptions, the company is seeking to raise $19 billion.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg highlighted the rights of airline passengers, affirming his commitment to advocating for fair treatment. He noted that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the recent tech disruptions.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has struggled to restore full service after a faulty software update by the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike led to widespread operational disruptions. This update notably impacted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, affecting numerous businesses globally and resulting in issues for corporate users, including the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The repercussions of this outage were felt across various industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. Airlines were particularly hard hit, with over 46,000 flight delays and more than 5,171 cancellations recorded on Friday alone, as reported by FlightAware. Delta experienced the most significant impact.
The airline canceled approximately 3,500 flights over the course of Friday and Saturday. By Sunday and Monday, Delta’s cancellations exceeded 2,500, with an additional 3,441 flights delayed. As of Tuesday, FlightAware reported 738 flights either canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the situation, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to everyone impacted by these events. Delta’s mission is to connect the world, and we understand the challenges associated with travel disruptions.”
Bastian further explained that a substantial number of Delta applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including a crew tracking tool that was unable to adapt to the changes caused by the system outage. To assist affected customers, Delta has announced a travel waiver allowing free flight changes and is also offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.