The Department of Transportation is probing Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer rights are being maintained amid ongoing flight cancellations due to a recent global tech outage.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment, stating in a social media post that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced challenges in resuming its operations following a failed software update from the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike that occurred late last Thursday. This update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, causing significant disruptions across various sectors and leading to widespread issues for corporate users that included the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The impact of this incident was felt across numerous industries, particularly in airlines, with Friday alone witnessing over 46,000 flight delays and 5,171 cancellations, according to FlightAware. Delta was among the hardest hit, canceling approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, and an additional 2,500 flights on Sunday and Monday, along with 3,441 delays. On Tuesday, the cancellations and delays amounted to 738 flights.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, expressed his apologies to affected customers, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He acknowledged the difficulties travelers face due to disrupted plans and assured that Delta aims to connect the world.
Bastian pointed out that a number of Delta’s applications are dependent on Microsoft Windows, including crucial tools for crew tracking, which were hindered by the tech failures. To assist affected travelers, Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing free changes to flights and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.