The U.S. Department of Transportation is examining Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is adequately addressing passenger needs following a series of flight cancellations attributed to a recent global technology outage.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment and he is committed to upholding that right. He mentioned that the department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the tech issues.
Delta Air Lines, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced challenges in restoring operations after a failed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike disrupted systems worldwide. This update caused issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, affecting numerous corporate users and resulting in widespread problems including the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted almost every major sector, with airlines and airports experiencing particularly severe disruptions. On a single day, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and more than 5,171 flights were canceled, as reported by FlightAware. Delta was particularly affected, canceling about 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday alone. Additional cancellations continued, with over 2,500 flights grounded on Sunday and Monday, along with more than 3,400 delays. As of Tuesday, 738 flights have already been reported as delayed or canceled.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret in a statement, calling cancellation a last resort and apologizing to travelers affected by the situation. He acknowledged the challenges faced by passengers whose travel plans have been upended. Bastian explained that many of Delta’s operational applications are reliant on Microsoft Windows, including a tool for tracking crew that was unable to adapt to the forced shutdown.
To assist customers, Delta has announced a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, along with offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.