The Department of Transportation is examining Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is effectively addressing consumer needs following a series of flight cancellations linked to a global technology outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment and he intends to uphold that right. He mentioned that the department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the recent tech issues.
Delta Air Lines, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced challenges in returning to full operational capabilities after a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which occurred late Thursday. This update negatively affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access essential systems and dealing with the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had widespread effects across various sectors, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, but the airline and airport industry experienced the most significant disruptions. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and 5,171 were canceled, as reported by FlightAware, with Delta being particularly hard hit.
The airline canceled approximately 3,500 flights over the weekend. In addition, FlightAware noted that Delta canceled more than 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday, and delayed another 3,441. By Tuesday, 738 flights faced cancellations or delays.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian stated that cancelling a flight is always a last resort and expressed his apologies to affected travelers. He acknowledged that Delta’s operations rely heavily on Microsoft Windows applications, notably a tool for tracking crew members, which struggled to adapt to the shutdown of systems. In response, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change flights for free and has also provided meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.