The Department of Transportation is investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer rights are being upheld as the airline continues to cancel flights following last week’s global technology outage.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized on social media that “All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” His comments came after the department received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Atlanta-based Delta has struggled to resume normal operations after a problematic software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike impacted various businesses globally. A flaw in this update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving corporate users facing significant challenges, including the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had widespread repercussions, affecting numerous industries such as healthcare, retail, delivery services, and financial sectors. Airlines were particularly hit hard, with over 46,000 flights delayed and more than 5,170 canceled on one Friday, according to FlightAware. Delta experienced the most significant disruptions, canceling around 3,500 flights on the days following the outage and more than 2,500 additional cancellations by Monday, along with substantial delays on Tuesday.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian acknowledged the issues in a statement, stating: “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to everyone who has been impacted by these events. Delta is in the business of connecting the world, and we understand how difficult it can be when your travels are disrupted.”
He also mentioned that Delta relies on a considerable number of applications using Microsoft Windows, which impacted their crew tracking tool during the outage. In response, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights at no cost and provided meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options to affected travelers.