The Department of Transportation is conducting an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is adequately addressing consumer concerns following a series of flight cancellations triggered by a global tech outage last week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers in a statement shared on social media. He noted that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in restoring normal operations after a failed software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike created widespread issues for businesses globally. A flaw in the update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, which left many corporate users struggling with system access issues, including encountering the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly every major industry, with sectors such as healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance all feeling the effects. Airlines and airports were particularly hard hit; on Friday alone, over 46,000 flights experienced delays, and another 5,171 were canceled according to FlightAware, with Delta being the hardest affected airline.
On Friday and Saturday, Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights. The airline went on to cancel more than 2,500 additional flights on Sunday and Monday, alongside 3,441 delays. By Tuesday, FlightAware reported that 738 flights had either been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the disruptions, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to every one of you who have 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 explained that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for many applications, including a tool for crew tracking, which was unable to adapt to the changes caused by the system issues. In response, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights without charge and is also providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.