The Department of Transportation has launched an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is properly addressing consumer concerns following a series of flight cancellations tied to a recent global technology outage.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment, highlighting that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
The Atlanta-based airline has faced challenges in fully resuming operations after a software update by cybersecurity company CrowdStrike disrupted businesses globally. This update, which affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, left many corporate users unable to access their systems, leading to widespread technical failures.
The incident had far-reaching implications across various industries, notably healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, with airlines and airports experiencing significant disruptions. Reports indicate that on a single day, over 46,000 flights were delayed and 5,171 flights were canceled, with Delta being particularly affected.
Delta Airlines reported approximately 3,500 canceled flights over the weekend following the outage, and by the following days, the cancellations continued, contributing to more than 2,500 additional cancellations and 3,441 delays according to FlightAware. By Tuesday, 738 flights were either canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret regarding the cancellations, stating that canceling flights is a last resort and acknowledging the difficulties faced by affected travelers. He explained that a number of Delta’s applications depend on Microsoft Windows, including tools essential for crew tracking that were unable to function during the system shutdown.
To assist affected travelers, Delta has issued a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights free of charge, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.