The Department of Transportation is conducting an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure that the airline is adequately addressing consumer concerns following a series of flight cancellations resulting from a global technology outage last week.
In a statement shared on social media, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers, pledging to uphold their rights. He noted that the department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the recent technology disruptions.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has been struggling to restore its operations following a flawed software update implemented by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which occurred late Thursday and impacted businesses worldwide. The update malfunction affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leading to access issues for corporate users and, in some instances, the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had widespread repercussions across various sectors, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and banking. The airline industry faced particularly severe challenges, with over 46,000 flight delays and 5,171 cancellations reported on Friday alone, as documented by FlightAware. Delta was among the hardest hit.
On Friday and Saturday, Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights. In the subsequent days, the airline canceled more than 2,500 flights and recorded another 3,441 delays on Sunday and Monday. On Tuesday, the disruption continued, with 738 flights being canceled or delayed.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, expressed regret over the situation, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to everyone affected 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 further explained that a substantial number of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including tools necessary for crew tracking that were unable to adapt due to the system outage. In response to the disruptions, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights at no extra cost, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.