The Department of Transportation is currently examining Delta Air Lines to ensure the company is adequately addressing consumer needs as it faces ongoing flight cancellations following a recent global technology failure.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the rights of airline passengers on social media, stating, “All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” This follows reports that his department received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the technology issues.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has struggled to return to normal operations several days after a problematic software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike disrupted businesses worldwide. This update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leading to significant access issues for corporate users, including instances of encountering the “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had widespread repercussions, affecting several major sectors, including healthcare, delivery, retail, and finance. Airlines and airports experienced the most significant disruptions, with over 46,000 flights delayed and more than 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, according to FlightAware. Delta was particularly hard hit.
The airline reported approximately 3,500 flight cancellations across its operations on Friday and Saturday. In addition, Delta canceled over 2,500 flights and delayed another 3,441 on Sunday and Monday. On Tuesday, 738 flights were either canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the situation, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He extended apologies to those affected, acknowledging the challenges of travel disruption. Bastian explained that Delta utilizes numerous applications reliant on Microsoft Windows, including a crew tracking tool that failed to adapt to the unexpected system shutdown. In response, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to modify their flight plans at no additional cost, along with offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.