The Department of Transportation is launching an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer rights are being protected as the airline continues to experience flight cancellations following a widespread global tech outage last week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment, pledging to uphold this principle. He noted that the department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in resuming normal operations after a software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike malfunctioned on Thursday, impacting systems worldwide. This issue particularly affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users struggling with access issues, including encountering the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The ripple effects of this incident were felt across numerous sectors, including healthcare, retail, and financial services. However, the airline industry experienced the most significant disruption. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and an additional 5,171 were canceled, as reported by FlightAware, with Delta being the hardest hit.
Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights over the course of Friday and Saturday. FlightAware’s data showed that more than 2,500 flights were canceled on Sunday and Monday, with an additional 3,441 experiencing delays. By Tuesday, another 738 flights had been canceled or delayed.
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.” He apologized to all passengers affected by the disruptions, highlighting Delta’s commitment to connecting global travelers.
Bastian explained that Delta relies heavily on applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including crucial tools for tracking crew schedules, which were hindered by the system outages. To assist customers, Delta has introduced a travel waiver that allows for free flight changes and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.