The Department of Transportation is conducting an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer protection amid a wave of flight cancellations following a global tech outage last week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg announced on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment, emphasizing his commitment to uphold this right. He noted that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Atlanta-based Delta has faced challenges in restoring its operations after a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike that occurred late Thursday. This update adversely affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access their systems and experiencing significant disruptions.
The incident impacted nearly every major industry, with airlines and airports being particularly hard hit. On a single day, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and more than 5,171 were canceled, according to FlightAware. Delta was among the most affected airlines, canceling roughly 3,500 flights over the weekend alone. The airline reported that over 2,500 flights were canceled on Sunday and Monday, with an additional 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, 738 flights had either been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret on Sunday, stating that canceling flights is always a last resort. He acknowledged the difficulties faced by passengers due to the disruptions. Bastian elaborated that a considerable number of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, which contributed to operational challenges.
In response to the situation, Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing customers to modify their flights without fees and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options for affected passengers.