The Department of Transportation is looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer rights are being upheld as the airline continues to cancel flights following a global tech outage last week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that “all airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” He added that his department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s handling of the tech disruptions.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has struggled to fully resume operations after a failed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike affected various businesses globally. The error in the update had an adverse impact on Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users without access and encountering the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident disrupted nearly every major industry, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, but airlines and airports were disproportionately affected. According to FlightAware, over 46,000 flights were delayed and approximately 5,171 were canceled on Friday alone, with Delta experiencing the most significant impact.
The airline canceled around 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday and reported cancellations of more than 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday, alongside 3,441 delays. By Tuesday, 738 flights had already faced cancellations or delays.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret in a statement, emphasizing that canceling a flight is a last resort. He extended apologies to passengers affected by the disruptions, stating that Delta’s mission is to connect the world and acknowledging the challenges caused by the cancellations.
Bastian noted that Delta utilizes several applications that rely on Microsoft Windows, including tools for tracking crew schedules that were hindered by the system failures. To assist affected customers, Delta has provided a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, as well as meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.