The Department of Transportation is currently examining Delta Air Lines to ensure the company is addressing consumer needs following an ongoing wave of flight cancellations linked to a recent global technology glitch.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the right of airline passengers to fair treatment, stating on social media, “All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” This comes after Buttigieg noted that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the tech issues.
Delta Air Lines, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced significant operational challenges after a problematic software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike affected numerous businesses worldwide. The update caused a defect that impacted Microsoft Windows operating systems, resulting in corporate users losing access to their systems and, in some instances, experiencing system crashes.
The incident disrupted nearly every major sector, severely affecting airlines and airports. On Friday alone, more than 46,000 flights were delayed, with an additional 5,171 canceled, as reported by FlightAware. Delta experienced the most significant impact, canceling approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday. By Sunday and Monday, the airline had canceled over 2,500 more flights and delayed an additional 3,441. As of Tuesday, FlightAware reported that Delta had canceled or delayed 738 flights.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the situation, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to every one of you who have been impacted by these events.” He acknowledged that Delta relies on many applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including vital crew tracking tools that were unable to adapt to the sudden system shutdown.
In response to the disruptions, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights at no additional cost and is offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation services.