The Department of Transportation is conducting an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure the company is treating its customers fairly amid ongoing flight cancellations following a recent global tech outage.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the rights of airline passengers in a statement on social media, noting that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced significant operational challenges after a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike caused widespread disruptions late last week. This issue notably affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving numerous corporate users unable to access their systems and dealing with critical errors.
The incident impacted almost every major industry, with particularly severe effects on airlines and airports. On the previous Friday, over 46,000 flights experienced delays, while another 5,171 flights were canceled, according to FlightAware. Delta emerged as the airline most affected.
The airline reported canceling around 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday, with an additional 2,500 cancellations and over 3,400 delays on Sunday and Monday. On Tuesday alone, 738 flights were either canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian issued an apology on Sunday to those affected, acknowledging the challenges passengers face when their travel plans are disrupted. He stated, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.”
Bastian explained that Delta relies on various applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including tools for crew tracking, which were unable to adjust due to the system failure. To assist customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.