The Department of Transportation is currently examining Delta Air Lines to ensure it is meeting consumer needs as the airline continues to face flight cancellations following a global tech outage last week.
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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg expressed on social media that “All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” He noted that his department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s handling of the tech outages.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has been struggling to restore its operations fully in the wake of a problematic software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which occurred late Thursday and affected businesses globally. The flawed update disrupted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving corporate users without access and encountering the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had widespread effects across nearly every major industry, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. Airlines and airports experienced significant disruptions, with over 46,000 flights delayed and more than 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, according to FlightAware. Delta was particularly affected.
The airline reported that it canceled around 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday. FlightAware indicates Delta canceled over 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday, along with 3,441 delayed flights. On Tuesday, 738 flights were either canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian released a statement on Sunday, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to every one of you who have been impacted by these events. Delta is in the business of connecting the world, and we understand how difficult it can be when your travels are disrupted.”
Bastian added that Delta relies on numerous applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including a tool for tracking crew operations that was unable to adjust due to the system shutdown. To assist affected customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes and is providing meal vouchers, accommodations, and transportation.