The Department of Transportation is conducting an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure the company is adequately addressing consumer concerns following a series of flight cancellations due to a recent global tech outage.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers in a statement on social media, noting that his department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s handling of the disruptions caused by the tech issues.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced significant operational challenges after a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike disrupted operations around the world. This update inadvertently affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users without access and encountering the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly every major industry, including healthcare, delivery, retail, and finance, with airlines and airports suffering the most severe consequences. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights faced delays, with another 5,171 being canceled, according to FlightAware. Delta was particularly affected, canceling around 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, and more than 2,500 flights over Sunday and Monday, in addition to nearly 3,441 delays. On Tuesday, another 738 flights were reported as canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the disruptions in a statement, emphasizing that canceling flights is a last resort. He apologized to affected travelers and highlighted the complexity of restoring operations, noting that many of Delta’s critical applications rely on Microsoft Windows. To assist customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.