The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure that consumer rights are being upheld, as the airline continues to cancel numerous flights following a global tech outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that “all airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly,” emphasizing that his department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced significant challenges in resuming operations after a problematic software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which occurred late Thursday and impacted various businesses worldwide. The defect affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users without access to critical systems and causing issues such as the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had widespread repercussions, impacting nearly every major industry, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. Airlines, in particular, were severely affected; on Friday, over 46,000 flights were delayed and more than 5,171 were canceled, according to FlightAware, with Delta experiencing the most disruptions.
On Friday and Saturday, Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights, with more than 2,500 additional cancellations on Sunday and Monday, along with over 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, the airline had already canceled or delayed 738 flights.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret in a statement, noting, “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.” He acknowledged the difficulties travelers face when their plans are disrupted, highlighting that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows applications, including a tool for tracking crew members that was affected by the system shutdown.
To assist affected customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing passengers to change their flights without fees, in addition to providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.