The Department of Transportation is examining Delta Air Lines to ensure that the airline is properly addressing consumer needs, as it continues to cancel flights following a recent global technology outage.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers in a social media statement on Tuesday. He noted that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced significant challenges in restoring its operations after a problematic software update by cybersecurity company CrowdStrike last Thursday disrupted businesses worldwide. This update contained a flaw that affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users without access to essential systems, including experiencing the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly every major industry, notably healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions, with airlines and airports experiencing particularly severe disruptions. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed and approximately 5,171 were canceled, as reported by FlightAware. Delta was among the airlines most severely impacted.
Delta reported cancellations of about 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday, followed by over 2,500 more cancellations on Sunday and Monday, along with another 3,441 delays. By Tuesday, the airline had already canceled or delayed 738 flights.
In response to the disruption, Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the inconvenience caused. “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I apologize to everyone affected by these events,” he stated. Bastian highlighted that many of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including a crucial crew tracking tool that faced issues due to the system malfunction.
To assist customers, Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, as well as offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.