The Department of Transportation is looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is addressing consumer concerns following a series of flight cancellations that stemmed from a global technology outage last week.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that all airline passengers have the right to fair treatment, and he intends to protect that right. He previously mentioned that his office had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, has been struggling to restore operations after a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike caused widespread disruptions. The update negatively affected Microsoft Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access their critical systems.
The incident impacted nearly every major industry, with healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions all feeling the effects. However, the airline sector was particularly hard hit, with over 46,000 flight delays and more than 5,171 cancellations reported on Friday alone, according to FlightAware. Delta was the most affected airline.
The airline canceled approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, with over 2,500 cancellations reported for Sunday and Monday, along with delays for 3,441 flights. As of Tuesday, there were an additional 738 flights that were either canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the disruptions caused to travelers, emphasizing that flight cancellations are always a last resort. He acknowledged that Delta relies heavily on Microsoft Windows for several applications, including tools for tracking crew schedules, which were affected by the system issues. In response to the disruptions, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change flights without charge and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.