The Department of Transportation is currently examining Delta Air Lines to ensure that the airline is adequately addressing consumer concerns following a series of flight cancellations linked to a recent global technology failure.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized on social media that every airline passenger deserves fair treatment, asserting, “I will make sure that right is upheld.” This statement came after Buttigieg revealed that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the recent technical issues.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has been struggling to fully restore operations following a faulty software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike that occurred late last Thursday. This issue affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, resulting in major disruptions for businesses worldwide, including problems such as the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly every major sector, with the airline and airport industries experiencing the most significant disruptions. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights faced delays, and an additional 5,171 were canceled, as reported by FlightAware. Delta was particularly hard hit, canceling approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday. The airline also canceled more than 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday, alongside 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, 738 flights had already been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the disruptions, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He acknowledged the frustration many travelers experienced and emphasized Delta’s commitment to connecting people. To assist affected customers, Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, in addition to providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.