The Department of Transportation is currently looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure that the airline is properly addressing consumer concerns following a series of flight cancellations stemming from a global tech outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressed on social media that “all airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” He noted that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the recent technological disruptions.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced challenges in resuming its operations after a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike last Thursday affected numerous businesses globally. This update caused issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leading corporate users to encounter access problems, including the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted virtually every major industry, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, with airlines and airports bearing the brunt of the situation. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and an additional 5,171 were canceled, as per FlightAware data. Delta Airlines was among the hardest hit.
The airline reported approximately 3,500 flight cancellations over Friday and Saturday. Furthermore, it canceled more than 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday and delayed an additional 3,441 flights. As of Tuesday, FlightAware indicated that 738 flights had also been canceled or delayed.
In a statement on Sunday, Delta CEO Ed Bastian emphasized, “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 added that a significant number of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including tools for crew tracking that were unable to adjust due to the system interruption. To assist affected customers, Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing free changes to flight reservations and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.