The U.S. Department of Transportation is investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure it is addressing consumer concerns following a series of flight cancellations tied to a global tech outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment and assured his commitment to uphold their rights. He noted that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has experienced significant operational challenges due to a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike. The update mistakenly affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, disrupting access for many corporate users and leading to widespread technical failures.
The repercussions of the outage were felt across various sectors, with healthcare providers, delivery services, retail, and financial institutions among those impacted. Airlines faced particularly severe disruptions, with over 46,000 flight delays and more than 5,171 cancellations reported on a single Friday, as noted by FlightAware, with Delta experiencing the most significant effects.
On Friday and Saturday alone, Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights. The airline saw over 2,500 cancellations on Sunday and Monday, along with another 3,441 flight delays. As of Tuesday, 738 flights had also been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the situation, stating that canceling flights is a last resort. He apologized to all passengers affected by the disruptions, affirming Delta’s commitment to facilitating global connections.
Bastian explained that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for various applications, including a critical crew tracking tool that was unable to function due to the system failure. In response to the chaos, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights for free, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.