The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer rights are being upheld, as the airline continues to face disruptions after a global technology outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment. He noted that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the recent tech issues.
Delta, based in Atlanta, is struggling to return to normal operations following a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which occurred late Thursday and affected businesses worldwide. This update led to issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, disrupting access for many corporate users.
The outage had widespread ramifications across multiple industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. Airlines, particularly Delta, saw significant impacts; on Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed and more than 5,170 canceled, as reported by FlightAware.
Delta reported it canceled around 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday. The airline’s troubles continued into Sunday and Monday, with more than 2,500 cancellations and over 3,400 delays recorded. By Tuesday, another 738 flights faced cancellations or delays.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the situation, stating that canceling flights is a measure taken only as a last resort. He acknowledged the struggles faced by passengers during these disruptions. Bastian mentioned that Delta relies heavily on various applications running on Microsoft Windows, including tools critical for crew management that were affected by the outage. To assist stranded passengers, Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing free flight changes and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.