The Department of Transportation is looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is adequately addressing consumer concerns following numerous flight cancellations that occurred after a global tech failure last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment, and he intends to uphold that principle. He noted that the department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s handling of the situation after the tech outage.
Delta, based in Atlanta, continues to face challenges in resuming its operations following a flawed software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday, which adversely affected businesses worldwide. This update created issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, causing corporate users to lose access to their systems and, in some instances, facing the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly all major industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, although airlines and airports were hit particularly hard. FlightAware reported that on Friday alone, over 46,000 flights experienced delays and 5,171 flights were canceled.
Delta was notably affected, canceling around 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday. The airline then cancelled more than 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday, with additional delays of 3,441 recorded. As of Tuesday, FlightAware reported 738 flights had been either canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the cancellations, stating that ending a flight is always a last resort and emphasizes empathy for those affected. He acknowledged the difficulties faced by travelers whose plans were disrupted.
Bastian mentioned that Delta relies on a wide array of applications using Microsoft Windows, including tools for crew tracking that were disrupted by the shutdown. To assist customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing for free flight changes, along with offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.