The Department of Transportation is currently examining Delta Air Lines to ensure that the airline is addressing consumer concerns following a series of flight cancellations that occurred in the wake of a global tech outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressed on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment, pledging to uphold this right. He noted that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the recent tech issues.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has been struggling to restore regular operations after a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which occurred last Thursday and affected a wide range of businesses. This update caused disruptions in Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users facing access issues, including the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The impact of this incident was felt across numerous industries, with healthcare services, delivery companies, retailers, and financial institutions all affected. However, airlines and airports bore a significant brunt, with over 46,000 flights delayed and 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, as per FlightAware data. Delta experienced the most extensive disruption.
The airline reported approximately 3,500 flight cancellations on Friday and Saturday, followed by more than 2,500 cancellations and 3,441 delays on Sunday and Monday. On Tuesday, 738 flights were either canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian emphasized in a statement that canceling flights is a last resort and expressed his apologies to those impacted by the situation. He acknowledged the challenges travelers face when their plans are disrupted and reaffirmed Delta’s commitment to connecting the world.
Bastian further revealed that Delta relies on numerous applications utilizing Microsoft Windows, including tools for crew tracking that were affected by the system shutdown. In response, Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing customers to alter their flights at no additional cost, along with providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation services.