The Department of Transportation is examining Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer protections are upheld as the airline continues to cancel flights following a global tech outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that “All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” He highlighted that the department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the tech issues.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced significant operational challenges days after a malfunctioning software update by cybersecurity company CrowdStrike affected businesses globally. This problem impacted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, causing corporate users to lose access to their systems, with some experiencing the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident disrupted nearly every major industry, including healthcare, deliveries, retail, and finance. Airlines and airports were particularly hard hit; on Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and around 5,171 were canceled, according to FlightAware, with Delta experiencing the most significant impact.
Delta reported canceling approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday. The airline canceled more than 2,500 flights and delayed another 3,441 over Sunday and Monday. On Tuesday, 738 flights had already been canceled or delayed, according to FlightAware.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret in a statement, saying, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I apologize to everyone impacted by these events. Delta is in the business of connecting the world, and we understand the difficulties caused by travel disruptions.”
He noted that Delta relies on numerous applications using Microsoft Windows, including those for crew tracking, which were unable to function properly due to the software issues. To assist affected customers, Delta has provided a travel waiver, allowing free flight changes, as well as meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.