The Department of Transportation is looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure it is meeting consumer needs amid ongoing flight cancellations following a global tech outage last week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers, stating on social media, “All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” He mentioned that his department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in returning to full operations following a problematic software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday. This update adversely affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, impacting businesses worldwide and leading to significant disruptions, including the infamous “Blue Screen of Death” for some corporate users.
The incident had far-reaching consequences across nearly every major industry, notably affecting healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions. The airline industry was particularly hard hit, with over 46,000 flight delays and more than 5,171 cancellations reported on Friday alone, according to FlightAware, with Delta experiencing the most severe impact.
Over the course of Friday and Saturday, Delta canceled around 3,500 flights, with reports indicating it canceled more than 2,500 additional flights on Sunday and Monday, along with 3,441 delays. By Tuesday, the airline had already canceled or delayed 738 flights.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian acknowledged the difficulties caused by the cancellations, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to every one of you who have been impacted by these events. Delta is in the business of connecting the world, and we understand how difficult it can be when your travels are disrupted.”
Bastian explained that Delta utilizes many Microsoft Windows applications, including essential tools for crew tracking, which struggled to adjust due to the system issues. To assist affected customers, Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, along with providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.