The Department of Transportation is conducting an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure that the airline is adequately addressing consumer concerns amidst ongoing flight cancellations stemming from a recent global tech malfunction.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the rights of 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 noted that his department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the technology issues.
Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, has been facing difficulties in returning to normal operations following a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike last week. This update, which affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, created widespread disruptions for many businesses globally and left some corporate users struggling with significant system errors.
The incident had a broad impact across various industries, including healthcare, delivery, retail, and finance, but airlines were particularly hard hit. On just one day, Friday, over 46,000 flights were delayed and more than 5,171 were canceled, with Delta experiencing one of the most significant disruptions.
According to Delta, nearly 3,500 flights were canceled on Friday and Saturday, with over 2,500 cancellations reported on Sunday and Monday, along with approximately 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, 738 flights had also been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the disruptions, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He extended his apologies to all those affected and acknowledged the difficulties travelers face when plans are disrupted.
Bastian explained that Delta relies on numerous applications running on Microsoft Windows, including vital tools for crew tracking that could not respond to the unexpected system shutdown. To alleviate passenger frustrations, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights at no cost and is offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.