The U.S. Department of Transportation is conducting an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer rights are being upheld as the company continues to experience flight cancellations following a global tech outage last week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment. He noted that the department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the tech issues.
Atlanta-based Delta has faced difficulties in resuming normal operations after a problematic software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike affected businesses globally. A flaw in this update disrupted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving corporate users struggling with access to their systems and encountering the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly every major industry, including healthcare, retail, and financial services, but the airline industry was particularly hard hit. On one day alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed and more than 5,000 flights were canceled, according to FlightAware, with Delta experiencing the most significant disruptions.
Delta canceled around 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, followed by over 2,500 cancellations on Sunday and Monday, with an additional 3,441 delays. By Tuesday, 738 flights had already been canceled or delayed, as per FlightAware.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the situation, stating that canceling flights is a last resort for the airline. He extended an apology to customers affected by the disruptions and emphasized Delta’s commitment to connecting people worldwide.
Bastian explained that Delta relies on a myriad of applications utilizing Microsoft Windows, including tools for crew tracking, which were unable to adapt due to the outage. In response to the cancellations, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to modify their flights at no extra cost and has offered meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.