The Department of Transportation is actively investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer rights are upheld following a series of flight cancellations linked to a recent global tech outage. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the airline passengers’ rights to fair treatment, responding to “hundreds of complaints” about Delta’s handling of the situation on social media.
Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in returning to normal operations after a software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike went awry last Thursday. This glitch significantly affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, causing widespread disruption across various sectors, including healthcare, retail, and finance, and presenting notable challenges for airlines and airports. On one particularly chaotic Friday, over 46,000 flights experienced delays, and more than 5,171 flights were canceled.
Delta alone canceled approximately 3,500 flights over the weekend, and on Sunday and Monday, another 2,500 flights were scrapped, with 3,441 flights delayed throughout this period. The airline continued to face difficulties into Tuesday, with an additional 738 flights either canceled or delayed.
Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian addressed passengers’ frustrations, stating that canceling flights is always a measure of last resort. He extended a heartfelt apology to all travelers affected by these disruptions, acknowledging the inconvenience caused. Bastian explained that Delta relies heavily on various applications connected to Microsoft Windows, which severely hampered their operations due to the update failure. To assist affected customers, Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, along with providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.
In light of these challenges, there is a silver lining in Delta’s responsive measures to support their passengers amid a tough situation. This incident underscores the growing reliance on technology in the airline industry and highlights the importance of maintaining robust systems to prevent future interruptions.
Overall, as the investigation unfolds, Delta and the Department of Transportation are both taking steps to ensure accountability and improve consumer experiences, paving the way for more resilient air travel in the future.