The Department of Transportation has launched an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer rights are being upheld, as the airline continues to face significant flight cancellations following a recent global tech outage. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized on social media the importance of fair treatment for all airline passengers and acknowledged that his department has received numerous complaints about Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, has experienced operational challenges following a problematic software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike that occurred late last Thursday. This glitch affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, disrupting access for many corporate users and leading to widespread issues, including the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The outage had a far-reaching impact across various industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, but the airline and travel sectors were particularly hard hit. On the day following the incident, over 46,000 flights were delayed and more than 5,171 were canceled, according to data from FlightAware, with Delta suffering the most.
In total, Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday and saw over 2,500 cancellations on Sunday and Monday, along with delays for another 3,441 flights. The situation continued on Tuesday, with 738 flights either canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian extended his apologies to affected travelers, reiterating that flight cancellations are always a last resort. He highlighted the importance of their role in global connectivity and expressed understanding regarding the inconveniences caused by the disruptions. Bastian noted that many of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including critical tools for crew tracking that were hampered by the system failure. To assist affected customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free changes to flights, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.