The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is adequately addressing consumer concerns following a series of flight cancellations resulting from a recent global technology failure.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers, stating, “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 about Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, based in Atlanta, is facing challenges in resuming its operations after a software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike last Thursday triggered issues worldwide. This update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leading many corporate users to face significant service disruptions, including the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had widespread ramifications across various sectors, including healthcare, logistics, retail, and finance, but the airline industry, particularly Delta, encountered the most severe repercussions. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and 5,171 were canceled, according to FlightAware, with Delta experiencing a substantial number of cancellations.
Delta reported that it canceled around 3,500 flights over the weekend, with more than 2,500 cancellations on Sunday and Monday, alongside 3,441 delays. On Tuesday alone, 738 flights were either canceled or delayed.
In a statement on Sunday, Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret, saying, “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 numerous applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including crucial tools for tracking crew assignments, which were affected by the system issues. To assist customers, Delta has launched a travel waiver allowing passengers to change their flights without charge and has provided meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.