The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is adequately addressing consumer rights amid ongoing flight cancellations following last week’s global technology outage.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stated on social media Tuesday that every airline passenger deserves fair treatment and he will ensure that this principle is upheld. He noted that the department has received “hundreds of complaints” concerning Delta’s response to the recent tech issues.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has struggled to restore normal operations after a flawed software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike affected global businesses. A defect in the update disrupted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users with inaccessible systems and the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
This incident impacted various industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, with airlines and airports experiencing significant disruptions. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed and around 5,171 canceled, according to FlightAware, with Delta being the most affected.
Delta reported canceling approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday and Monday, more than 2,500 flights were canceled, and an additional 3,441 flights were delayed. By Tuesday, 738 flights had either been canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret on Sunday, stating that canceling flights is never taken lightly. He apologized to all passengers impacted by the disruptions and emphasized Delta’s commitment to connecting people worldwide.
Bastian acknowledged that Delta relies on numerous applications utilizing Microsoft Windows, including a crucial crew tracking tool that was unable to adjust due to the system failure. To assist affected customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, along with providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation services.