The Department of Transportation is launching an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure that consumer rights are upheld, following numerous flight cancellations attributed to a recent global tech outage.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for all airline passengers in a social media statement on Tuesday. He noted that his department has been flooded with complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation since the tech failures.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has struggled to recover operations after a problematic software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike disrupted businesses worldwide. This issue particularly affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, causing significant disruptions across various sectors, including airlines, healthcare, delivery services, and retailers. On Friday, over 46,000 flights were delayed and more than 5,171 were canceled, with Delta experiencing the most significant impact.
The airline reported canceling around 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday and over 2,500 cancellations on Sunday and Monday, alongside nearly 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, an additional 738 flights had been either canceled or delayed.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, expressed regret over the flight cancellations, stating that such decisions are never taken lightly. He acknowledged the challenges faced by travelers and assured that the airline is committed to minimizing disruptions. Bastian explained that Delta relies on numerous applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including one that tracks crew operations, which was unable to adapt due to the system failures. To assist affected customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes and is offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.