The Department of Transportation is conducting an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is adequately supporting its customers following a series of flight cancellations attributed to a global tech outage from the previous week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers, stating on social media that he will ensure these rights are protected. He mentioned that the department has received hundreds of complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, based in Atlanta, is facing challenges in restoring its operations, as it continues to deal with the aftermath of a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike. This update caused significant issues worldwide, affecting Microsoft’s Windows operating systems and leaving numerous corporate users unable to access their systems, with some encountering a critical error known as the “Blue Screen of Death.”
The impact of this incident reached nearly all major industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, with airlines and airports enduring particularly severe disruptions. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights experienced delays, and more than 5,171 were canceled, as reported by FlightAware, with Delta suffering the most significant impact.
Delta reported the cancellation of around 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday. The airline also canceled more than 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday, alongside delays affecting another 3,441 flights. On Tuesday, 738 flights faced cancellations or delays, according to FlightAware’s data.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret in a statement, highlighting that canceling flights is a measure taken only as a last resort. He apologized to those inconvenienced by the flight disruptions and acknowledged the challenges faced by travelers during this time.
Bastian further noted that Delta relies on many applications utilizing Microsoft Windows, including tools critical for crew tracking, which were hampered by the system failure. To assist affected customers, Delta has put in place a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.