The Department of Transportation is looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer rights are being protected as the airline continues to face cancellations following a global tech outage last week.
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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated on social media Tuesday that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment, and he is committed to ensuring that their rights are maintained. He noted that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the recent tech outages.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has struggled to fully restore operations after a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike impacted businesses worldwide late Thursday. The update malfunction affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access their systems and facing the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had a widespread impact across various industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. However, airlines and airports were particularly hard hit; on Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed with an additional 5,171 cancellations reported, according to FlightAware. Delta bore the brunt of these disruptions.
The airline announced the cancellation of approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday. Additionally, it canceled more than 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday and reported 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, 738 flights have also been canceled or delayed, as noted by FlightAware.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the situation, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to everyone impacted by these events. Delta is in the business of connecting the world, and we understand how challenging it is when travel plans are disrupted.”
Bastian elaborated that Delta relies on a significant number of applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including a tool for tracking crew operations, which struggled to adapt due to the system outage. In response, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights at no cost and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance to those affected.