The Department of Transportation is conducting an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure that the airline is adequately addressing consumer issues, following a series of flight cancellations attributed to a global tech outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the right of airline passengers to fair treatment, stating on social media that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the situation.
Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, has faced operational challenges as it seeks to restore services after a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike affected businesses globally. This update caused issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving numerous corporate users unable to access their systems and in some situations encountering the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly every major industry, notably healthcare, delivery services, retail, and financial institutions. Airlines, in particular, experienced significant disruptions, with over 46,000 flights delayed and 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, according to FlightAware. Delta was notably the most affected airline during this incident.
The airline reported canceling approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday. Additionally, Delta canceled more than 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday, with another 3,441 flights delayed. By Tuesday, 738 flights had either been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian stated on Sunday that canceling flights is a last resort and expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers. He highlighted the challenges faced when travel plans are disrupted, reaffirming Delta’s commitment to connecting the world.
Bastian noted that Delta relies on a large number of applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including tools for crew tracking that were impacted by the system outage. To assist affected customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes and is offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.