The Department of Transportation is investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure that consumer rights are being protected as the airline continues to cancel flights following a recent global tech outage.
In a statement on social media, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment and reiterated his commitment to enforcing that right. He noted that his department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the technical issues.
The Atlanta-based airline has faced challenges in normalizing operations after a defective software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike impacted various businesses worldwide. This update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leading many corporate users to lose access to essential systems, with some experiencing the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The outage severely impacted numerous industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. The airline industry faced the most disruption, with over 46,000 flights delayed and 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, according to FlightAware, with Delta suffering the worst impact.
Delta reported canceling approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, with more than 2,500 additional cancellations on Sunday and Monday, as well as delaying another 3,441 flights. As of Tuesday, the airline had already canceled or delayed 738 flights, based on FlightAware data.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the situation, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He apologized to customers affected by the disruptions, highlighting Delta’s commitment to connecting travelers and acknowledging the difficulty of travel disruptions.
Bastian explained that Delta relies on numerous applications using Microsoft Windows, including tools for crew tracking that were unable to adjust due to the system shutdown. To assist impacted customers, Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing free flight changes and is offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.