The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer rights are upheld as the airline faces ongoing flight cancellations following a major global tech outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers, indicating that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the situation.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, is working to fully restore its operations after a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which occurred late Thursday. This update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, disrupting access for corporate users and causing widespread technical issues.
The fallout from this incident has impacted nearly every major industry, including healthcare, retail, delivery services, and finance. The airline sector was particularly hard-hit, with FlightAware reporting that over 46,000 flights were delayed and approximately 5,171 were canceled on the following Friday alone. Delta experienced the most significant disruptions.
The airline canceled about 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday. From Sunday to Monday, Delta canceled more than 2,500 flights and delayed an additional 3,441. As of Tuesday, there have already been 738 more cancellations or delays.
In a statement on Sunday, Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He apologized to those affected, reinforcing Delta’s commitment to connecting travelers and acknowledging the difficulties caused by disruptions.
Bastian noted that Delta relies on numerous applications using Microsoft Windows, including tools vital for crew tracking, which were unable to function properly due to the system failure. In response to the situation, Delta has announced a travel waiver that allows customers to change their flights at no charge, and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation support.