The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure proper consumer care, following the airline’s continued flight cancellations resulting from a global tech outage last week.
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Transportation Secretary 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.” He also mentioned that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the tech disruptions.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has encountered difficulties in fully resuming operations days after a flawed software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, implemented late Thursday, impacted various businesses globally. A problem with the update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving corporate users struggling with access and, in some instances, facing the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had widespread consequences, affecting nearly every major industry such as healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. Airlines were significantly impacted, with over 46,000 flights delayed and more than 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, according to FlightAware, with Delta being one of the most affected.
Delta reported canceling approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, with an additional cancellation of over 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday, as well as 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, 738 flights have been reported as canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian stated, “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 utilizing Microsoft Windows, including a crew tracking tool that could not process the changes resulting from the system shutdown. In response, Delta has issued a travel waiver allowing customers to change flights without charge, in addition to offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.