The Department of Transportation is examining Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer protections are in place as the airline continues to cancel flights following a global tech outage last week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stated on social media Tuesday, “All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” He mentioned that his department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the tech issues.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has struggled to return to normal operations after a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike affected businesses globally. This update had flaws that impacted Microsoft’s Windows systems, leading to numerous corporate users encountering access issues and the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The disruption had a widespread effect, impacting various industries such as healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. The airline sector was particularly hard hit, with over 46,000 flights delayed and 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, according to FlightAware, with Delta experiencing the most significant disruptions.
Delta reported canceling approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday. The airline then canceled more than 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday, alongside 3,441 delays. On Tuesday, FlightAware noted that 738 flights were either canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret in a statement on Sunday, 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 further explained that many of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including a crew tracking tool that was rendered ineffective due to the system failure. To assist affected travelers, Delta has provided a travel waiver allowing customers to change flights at no cost, along with offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.