The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer rights are being upheld, particularly as the airline continues to face flight cancellations following a recent global tech outage. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for all airline passengers, referencing the “hundreds of complaints” his office has received regarding Delta’s response to the situation.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has struggled to restore its flight operations after a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike caused widespread disruptions. This update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users without access to vital systems and, in some cases, experiencing the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The tech incident affected nearly every major industry, including healthcare, retail, and finance, but airlines and airports were particularly hard hit. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and 5,171 were canceled, according to FlightAware, with Delta experiencing the most significant impact.
Delta announced it canceled around 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday, and by Sunday and Monday, cancellations rose to more than 2,500, alongside an additional 3,441 delays. On Tuesday, the airline faced further disruptions with 738 flights canceled or delayed.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, expressed regret over the cancellations, stating that they are a last resort and not taken lightly. He apologized to affected travelers, reinforcing Delta’s commitment to connecting the world and acknowledging the difficulties wrought by such disruptions. Bastian also highlighted that Delta relies on numerous applications using Microsoft Windows, including a crew tracking tool that struggled to cope with the tech outage. To assist impacted passengers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver for free flight changes, along with offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.