The Department of Transportation has launched an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer protections as the airline continues to cancel flights following a global tech outage that occurred last week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of passenger rights, stating on social media, “All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” This declaration follows reports of “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the tech issues.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in resuming normal operations after a problematic software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike impacted companies worldwide. A flaw in the update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, causing significant disruptions for corporate users.
The incident had widespread repercussions across multiple sectors, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, but airlines were particularly hard hit. On Friday alone, FlightAware reported over 46,000 flight delays and more than 5,171 cancellations, with Delta experiencing the highest impact.
Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, and reported more than 2,500 cancellations on Sunday and Monday, alongside 3,441 delays. By Tuesday, 738 flights had also faced cancellations or delays.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian addressed the situation, stating, “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 noted that Delta relies on numerous applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including a crucial tool for tracking crew availability that was hindered by the system failure. To assist affected customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing changes to flights without fees, in addition to providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.