The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is adequately addressing consumer rights amid ongoing flight cancellations following a recent global technology outage.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that every airline passenger deserves fair treatment and vowed to uphold this right. He noted that the department has received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s management of the situation after a major tech issue affected operations.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in restoring its services after a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike disrupted businesses worldwide. The update led to problems with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, preventing corporate users from accessing their systems and causing significant errors.
The outage had a widespread impact, affecting various industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. Airlines and airports were particularly hard hit; on a single day, Friday, over 46,000 flights were delayed and 5,171 canceled, as reported by FlightAware, with Delta experiencing the most significant disruptions.
During the affected weekend, Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday, followed by more than 2,500 cancellations on Sunday and Monday, along with over 3,400 delays. By Tuesday, the airline reported 738 additional flights that were either canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the inconvenience caused, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He acknowledged the challenges travelers face when disruptions occur and emphasized that Delta is committed to connecting the world.
Bastian explained that Delta relies on numerous applications dependent on Microsoft Windows, including a critical tool for crew tracking that failed due to the system shutdown. To assist affected customers, Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, along with offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.