The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure it is fulfilling its obligations to consumers amidst a wave of flight cancellations following a significant global tech outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg issued a statement on social media Tuesday emphasizing that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment and claiming his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, which is based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in restoring its operations days after a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike caused widespread disruptions. The update adversely affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving numerous businesses, including airline operations, in disarray.
The tech outage impacted almost every major sector, with airlines and airports particularly hard hit. On a single day, Friday, over 46,000 flights experienced delays, and 5,171 flights were canceled, as reported by FlightAware. Delta was among the most affected, cancelling around 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday. Following that, the airline canceled more than 2,500 flights between Sunday and Monday and reported additional delays. By Tuesday, Delta had already canceled or delayed 738 flights.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed his regret over the situation, stating that canceling flights is always a last resort. He apologized to those impacted and acknowledged the difficulties caused by disrupted travel plans, reiterating Delta’s commitment to connecting people.
Bastian noted that many of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including crucial tools for tracking flight crews, which were negatively affected by the tech issues. In response, Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights at no cost, in addition to providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.