The Department of Transportation is looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is fulfilling its obligations to consumers following a wave of flight cancellations linked to a recent global tech outage.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for all airline passengers, stating on social media, “All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” This comes after the department reportedly received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the tech disruptions.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has been struggling to restore its operations following a flawed software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike that occurred late last Thursday. The update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, disrupting access for many corporate users and causing significant technical issues, including the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The tech malfunction severely impacted several industries, with healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions all feeling the effects. However, the airline sector was particularly hard hit; more than 46,000 flights were delayed and over 5,171 were canceled on the Friday following the outage, according to FlightAware, with Delta facing the brunt of the chaos.
Delta reported the cancellation of around 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday. By Sunday and Monday, more than 2,500 additional flights were canceled, alongside 3,441 delays. On Tuesday alone, Delta experienced 738 flight cancellations or delays.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian addressed the situation in a statement, saying, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to everyone who has been impacted by these events. Delta is in the business of connecting the world, and we understand how difficult it can be when your travels are disrupted.”
Bastian noted that Delta relies heavily on various applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including a tool for crew tracking that was hindered by the system outage. To assist affected customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.