The Department of Transportation is looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure it is addressing consumer concerns amid ongoing flight cancellations following a recent global tech outage.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for all airline passengers, stating on social media that his department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the technology issues.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced difficulties in resuming normal operations days after a faulty software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike disrupted businesses worldwide. This update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users, including airlines, unable to access vital systems.
The impact of the incident was widespread, affecting various sectors including healthcare, logistics, retail, and finance. Airlines faced significant disruptions, with more than 46,000 flights delayed and over 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, as reported by FlightAware. Delta was particularly affected, canceling approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, and more than 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday, alongside another 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, 738 flights had also been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the disruptions, stating that cancelling flights is a last resort. He extended apologies to those affected, reinforcing that Delta’s mission is to connect people and that they recognize the challenges caused by interrupted travel.
Bastian noted that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for several applications, including crew tracking systems, which were unable to function due to the system failure. In response, Delta has provided customers with a travel waiver that allows for free flight changes, as well as meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.