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 last week’s global tech outage. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment, emphasizing that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s response to the situation.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in resuming normal operations after a problematic software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike impacted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems. This update left many corporate users without access and caused widespread interruptions, with industries ranging from healthcare to finance feeling the effects. Airlines and airports were particularly affected, with over 46,000 flight delays and more than 5,000 cancellations recorded on Friday alone, according to FlightAware, with Delta being the most impacted.
The airline canceled about 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, and subsequently more than 2,500 cancellations occurred on Sunday and Monday, along with nearly 3,500 delays. On Tuesday, there were already 738 cancellations or delays reported.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed the airline’s regret over the disruptions, stating that canceling flights is always a last resort. He apologized to affected travelers, acknowledging the challenges that come with travel disruptions. Furthermore, Bastian noted that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows applications, including a crew tracking system that was rendered inoperable due to the outage. In response, Delta has offered a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights without fees and has provided meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.