Federal Investigation Launched into Delta Air Lines Amid Operational Struggles

The federal government has initiated an investigation into Delta Air Lines following significant operational disruptions that have led to the cancellation of over 4,000 flights since Friday. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced the inquiry to ensure that Delta is adhering to legal obligations and adequately addressing passenger needs during these widespread disruptions. Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for all airline passengers and pledged to uphold their rights. In response to the investigation, Delta Air Lines stated that it is fully cooperating with the Department of Transportation and is committed to rectifying the situation for customers affected by the delays and cancellations. The airline is working diligently to restore the reliable service that passengers expect. This announcement comes on the heels of numerous complaints filed with the department regarding Delta's service disruptions. The operational challenges faced by Delta were exacerbated by a global tech outage linked to CrowdStrike, which temporarily hindered airline operations and affected various sectors, including emergency services and banks. The outage resulted from a defect in a Windows content update, leading to approximately 35,000 delays and 8,500 cancellations across the U.S. Delta experienced the highest number of disruptions during this period. Delta's CEO, Ed Bastian, noted that many of the airline's critical applications depend on the Microsoft Windows operating system. He indicated that the recovery process would take several more days, but assured that teams are working tirelessly to return to normal operations. Affected customers will receive compensation in the form of SkyMiles or travel vouchers.