The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure that the airline is properly addressing consumer issues following a series of flight cancellations stemming from a global tech outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for all airline passengers and stated his commitment to uphold these rights via social media on Tuesday. He mentioned that the department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the tech disruptions.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced significant challenges in restoring operations following a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike. This update, launched late on Thursday, affected businesses worldwide, disrupting Microsoft’s Windows systems and leading to issues such as the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident impacted nearly every major industry, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, with airlines and airports suffering particularly severe repercussions. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights experienced delays, and approximately 5,171 were canceled, according to FlightAware, with Delta being the most affected.
Delta canceled around 3,500 flights during Friday and Saturday and reported more than 2,500 flight cancellations on Sunday and Monday along with over 3,441 delays. On Tuesday, the airline faced an additional 738 cancellations or delays.
In light of this, CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the inconvenience caused, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He acknowledged the challenges faced by travelers due to these disruptions, reiterating Delta’s mission to connect the world.
Bastian explained that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for many operational applications, including tools for crew tracking that were affected by the system failures. To assist customers, Delta is providing a travel waiver for free flight changes, as well as meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.