The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure that the airline is properly addressing consumer issues following numerous flight cancellations stemming from a recent global technology failure.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment, and he is committed to upholding that right. His department has reportedly received hundreds of complaints regarding Delta’s response to the technology outages.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in fully restoring operations several days after a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike impacted businesses worldwide. This defect in the update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, resulting in corporate users experiencing significant access issues, sometimes encountering the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The tech incident had widespread ramifications across various industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. Airlines and airports were particularly affected, with over 46,000 flights delayed and more than 5,171 canceled just on Friday, according to FlightAware. Delta experienced the most disruptions.
On Friday and Saturday, Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights. Additionally, the airline canceled more than 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday, while also delaying 3,441 flights. By Tuesday, the airline had already canceled or delayed 738 flights.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed his regret in a Sunday statement, emphasizing that flight cancellations are taken seriously and are always a last resort. He apologized to all customers affected by the disruptions, acknowledging the difficulties caused when travel plans are interrupted.
Bastian noted that Delta relies on several applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including a tool for crew tracking that struggled to manage the system shutdown changes. To assist customers, Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing them to change flights for free, along with providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.