The Department of Transportation is examining Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is adequately addressing consumer concerns following a series of flight cancellations linked to a global technology outage last week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers in a statement posted on social media Tuesday. He noted that his department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in fully resuming its operations following a problematic software update by CrowdStrike, which affected businesses worldwide. This update caused a flaw in Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, impacting corporate users who experienced difficulties, including the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had far-reaching effects, disrupting nearly every major industry, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. Airlines and airports were particularly hard hit, with over 46,000 flight delays and more than 5,171 cancellations reported on Friday alone, according to FlightAware. Delta experienced the most significant impact, canceling around 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday. The airline then canceled over 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday and delayed an additional 3,441. On Tuesday, 738 flights were also either canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed his regret for the disruptions, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He apologized to those affected and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to connecting the world. Bastian explained that Delta relies heavily on various applications utilizing Microsoft Windows, including those needed for crew tracking, which were unable to function due to the system shutdown. In response to the situation, Delta has implemented a travel waiver, allowing customers to change their flights at no charge, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.