The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is adequately addressing consumer needs following a series of flight cancellations that followed last week’s global technology outage.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized 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 numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation caused by the tech failures.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced challenges in resuming its operations after a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike on Thursday, which affected companies worldwide. This defect disrupted Microsoft Windows operating systems, impacting corporate users and in some cases leading to significant operational failures.
The incident significantly impacted various sectors, with healthcare service providers, delivery companies, retailers, and financial institutions all experiencing disruptions. Airlines and airports were particularly hard hit, with over 46,000 flight delays and more than 5,171 cancellations on Friday alone, according to FlightAware, with Delta being the most affected.
Delta reported the cancellation of around 3,500 flights during Friday and Saturday, along with over 2,500 canceled flights on Sunday and Monday, and additional delays. On Tuesday, the airline experienced 738 cancellations or delays.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian stated on Sunday, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He apologized to affected customers and acknowledged the challenges of disrupted travel. Bastian mentioned that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for several applications, including those related to crew tracking, which were affected by the system outage. To assist affected customers, Delta has issued a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.