The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure that consumer rights are being protected amid ongoing flight cancellations following last week’s global technology outage.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for airline passengers, stating on social media, “All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” His comments came after the department received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the recent tech issues.
Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, has faced significant challenges in resuming full operations after a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike disrupted businesses worldwide. This update included a defect that affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving numerous corporate users unable to access their systems and experiencing the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
Various sectors, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, felt the impact of this incident. Airlines and airports, however, were among the most severely affected, with over 46,000 flight delays and more than 5,171 cancellations reported on Friday alone, as per FlightAware data.
Delta specifically canceled around 3,500 flights across its network on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday and Monday, the airline canceled over 2,500 flights and delayed another 3,441. Reports for Tuesday indicate that 738 flights have already been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the disruptions, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I apologize to everyone who has 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 heavily on Microsoft Windows applications, including a crew tracking tool affected by the system shutdown. The airline has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights without penalty, in addition to providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.