The Department of Transportation has initiated an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure that the airline is adequately addressing consumer needs amidst ongoing flight cancellations following a recent global technology outage.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment, emphasizing his commitment to uphold that right. He noted that the department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, has faced significant challenges in resuming normal operations after a flawed software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike disrupted businesses worldwide. This update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leading to access issues for corporate users, including incidents of the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly every major industry, with healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions all affected. Airlines experienced severe consequences, with over 46,000 flights delayed and more than 5,171 canceled solely on Friday, according to FlightAware, with Delta Airlines experiencing the most substantial disruptions.
Delta announced the cancellation of approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday. Over the weekend, the airline canceled more than 2,500 flights by Sunday and Monday, and reported further cancellations and delays on Tuesday, with 738 flights affected as noted by FlightAware.
In a statement, Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the disruptions, stating that canceling flights is always a last resort and not taken lightly. He extended apologies to passengers impacted by the situation, affirming Delta’s mission to connect people globally.
Bastian explained that Delta relies heavily on a variety of applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including tools for crew tracking that struggled to adapt following the system outage. In response to the disruptions, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights at no cost, in addition to providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.