The Department of Transportation is investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer rights are being upheld as the airline continues to cancel flights following a significant global tech outage last week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the rights of airline passengers in a social media statement on Tuesday, stating that his department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced challenges in resuming normal operations after a faulty software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which impacted businesses worldwide late last Thursday. This defect affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, disrupting corporate users’ access and causing issues such as the “Blue Screen of Death.”
The tech incident had a widespread impact across various sectors, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and financial institutions, but the airline industry felt the brunt of the disruption. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed and 5,171 were canceled, according to FlightAware, with Delta experiencing the most cancellations.
Delta reported approximately 3,500 flight cancellations over Friday and Saturday, followed by more than 2,500 cancellations on Sunday and Monday, in addition to 3,441 flight delays. As of Tuesday, 738 flights had already been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed his regret for the disruptions, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He acknowledged the difficulties faced by travelers and assured that Delta is committed to connecting people around the world.
Bastian noted that Delta relies on a variety of applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including essential tools for tracking crew availability, which were rendered ineffective during the system shutdown. As a response to the situation, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing passengers to change flights at no cost, as well as offering meal vouchers and accommodations.