The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is properly addressing consumer concerns amid ongoing flight cancellations triggered by a global technology outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers, stating on social media that his department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in fully restoring operations following a problematic software update rolled out by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike late Thursday. This update adversely affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, resulting in corporate users experiencing significant disruptions, including the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had widespread repercussions, impacting nearly every major industry, including healthcare, delivery, retail, and finance. However, the airline sector suffered particularly, with over 46,000 flight delays and more than 5,171 cancellations recorded on Friday alone, according to FlightAware, making Delta the most impacted airline.
Delta confirmed it canceled approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday. By Sunday and Monday, the airline had canceled over 2,500 flights and delayed another 3,441. As of Tuesday, an additional 738 flights were either canceled or delayed, according to FlightAware data.
In a statement, Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed his regret over the disruption, saying, “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 also noted that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for various applications, including a tool for crew tracking that was hindered by the software issues. In light of the disruptions, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights without additional fees and has also offered meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.