The Department of Transportation is conducting an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure the company is properly addressing consumer needs, as it continues to face flight cancellations following a recent global tech outage.
On social media, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stated, “All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” He noted that the department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the outages caused by a software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has struggled to return to normal operations after the faulty software update, which affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems and disrupted numerous businesses. The “Blue Screen of Death” was a common issue for some corporate users as a result.
The incident impacted nearly every major sector, particularly healthcare, delivery services, retail, and financial institutions, but airlines and airports were among the hardest hit. On one particularly challenging day, more than 46,000 flights were delayed, and over 5,000 were canceled, with Delta bearing the brunt of the disruptions.
Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights over the course of Friday and Saturday, followed by over 2,500 cancellations on Sunday and Monday, along with about 3,441 delays. On Tuesday alone, the airline saw 738 flights either canceled or delayed, as reported by FlightAware.
In a statement on Sunday, Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret, 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 a significant number of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including a tool for crew tracking that was unable to adapt to the changes caused by the shutdown. In response to the situation, Delta has offered a travel waiver, allowing customers to change their flights without charge, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.