The Department of Transportation is looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure it adequately addresses consumer issues as the airline continues to cancel flights following a recent global tech outage.
Secretary of Transportation 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 also noted that his department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the tech disruptions.
Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, is grappling with the fallout from a failed software update implemented by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which occurred late last Thursday. This update negatively affected many businesses worldwide, creating issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems and leaving some corporate customers facing the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident disrupted nearly every major sector, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and financial institutions, but the airline industry was particularly hard hit. Over 46,000 flights were delayed and 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, according to FlightAware, with Delta facing the most significant impact.
Delta reported canceling approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday, followed by more than 2,500 cancellations and 3,441 delays on Sunday and Monday. As of Tuesday, 738 flights have been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian issued a statement on Sunday expressing regret for the disruptions, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to every one of you who have been impacted 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 Delta relies on a significant number of applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including tools for crew tracking that were unable to adapt due to the system failure. To assist affected passengers, Delta has launched a travel waiver allowing free flight changes and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.