The U.S. Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer rights are being protected, amidst ongoing flight cancellations following a global technology outage last week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment. 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 operations after a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which occurred late Thursday and affected global businesses. This issue particularly impacted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access their systems and dealing with the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The fallout from the incident has affected nearly every major industry, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and financial sectors. However, airlines and airports experienced some of the most significant disruptions, with over 46,000 flights delayed and more than 5,171 canceled on Friday, according to FlightAware. Delta was particularly hard hit.
The airline reported approximately 3,500 flight cancellations over Friday and Saturday, followed by more than 2,500 cancellations on Sunday and Monday, along with 3,441 delays. By Tuesday, 738 flights had already been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the disruptions, stating that canceling a flight is a last resort. He apologized to all affected passengers, reinforcing Delta’s commitment to connecting travelers around the world.
Bastian explained that Delta relies on various applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including a tool for crew tracking that was unable to adapt to the system’s shutdown. In response to the disruptions, Delta is offering a travel waiver that allows customers to change their flights without charge, along with meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.