The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is adequately addressing consumer needs following a series of flight cancellations stemming from a global tech outage last week.
In a related matter, Boeing is looking to raise $19 billion due to ongoing delivery delays and work stoppages that are impacting its operations.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of passenger rights on social media, stating, “All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” He previously mentioned that his department had received hundreds of complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation following the tech outages.
Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, has been struggling to restore its operations after a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike last Thursday caused widespread disruptions. This update adversely affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving corporate users unable to access their systems and causing issues like the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The global incident had repercussions across almost every major industry, including healthcare, logistics, retail, and finance. Airlines and airports were particularly hard hit, with over 46,000 flights delayed and another 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, according to FlightAware, with Delta suffering the most significant impact.
The airline canceled approximately 3,500 flights across its operations on Friday and Saturday, followed by over 2,500 cancellations on Sunday and Monday, along with an additional 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, Delta has already experienced 738 flight cancellations or delays, as reported by FlightAware.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, issued an apology to affected customers, stating, “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.”
He explained that Delta relies on a significant number of Microsoft Windows applications, including a tool for crew tracking that could not accommodate the changes due to the system outages. In response, Delta has launched a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights without fees, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.