The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure that consumer rights are being upheld as the airline continues to face flight cancellations following last week’s global tech failure.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment. He noted that his department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation after the tech outage occurred.
Delta, which is based in Atlanta, has struggled to restore its operations after a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike affected businesses globally. This update caused issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, resulting in significant disruptions for corporate users, with some experiencing the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had widespread repercussions across various industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. However, airlines and airports were particularly hard hit. On the preceding Friday, FlightAware reported over 46,000 flight delays and more than 5,171 cancellations, with Delta being the most impacted.
Over the weekend, Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights and reported more than 2,500 cancellations on Sunday and Monday, in addition to over 3,400 delays. Even by Tuesday, 738 flights had experienced cancellations or delays.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the situation, stating that canceling flights is always a last resort. He apologized to those affected, reaffirming the airline’s commitment to connecting travelers and acknowledging the inconvenience caused by the disruptions.
Bastian explained that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for various applications, including tools for tracking crew schedules, which were unable to function correctly due to the system failures. To assist affected customers, Delta has issued a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.