The Department of Transportation is looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure it is properly addressing consumer needs after a series of flight cancellations following a global tech outage last week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment and assured that this right will be protected. He noted that the department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the disruptions caused by the tech issues.
Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in resuming normal operations after a failed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike. This update on Thursday affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, disrupting business operations worldwide and leading to issues like the “Blue Screen of Death” for many corporate users.
The incident impacted numerous sectors, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and financial institutions. Airlines were particularly hard hit, with over 46,000 flight delays and 5,171 cancellations reported on Friday alone, according to FlightAware. Delta experienced the brunt of these disruptions.
The airline reported the cancellation of about 3,500 flights across its network on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday and Monday, Delta canceled more than 2,500 flights and delayed an additional 3,441. As of Tuesday, 738 flights had been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the impact on travelers, stating that canceling flights is a last resort and not taken lightly. He emphasized Delta’s commitment to connecting people and acknowledged the difficulties caused by travel disruptions.
Bastian explained that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows applications, including a crucial tool for tracking crew assignments, which was hindered by the system failure. To assist affected customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes and is offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.