The Department of Transportation is currently investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure that consumer rights are being upheld, especially in light of the multiple flight cancellations following a global tech outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for all airline passengers in a statement shared on social media. He noted that the department had received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced challenges in resuming normal operations after a software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike on Thursday caused widespread issues. This faulty update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access their systems and experiencing significant disruptions.
The tech outage impacted various industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, with airlines and airports suffering particularly severe effects. On Friday, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and an additional 5,171 were canceled, according to FlightAware, with Delta experiencing the brunt of the disruptions.
Delta reported the cancellation of approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, with more than 2,500 additional cancellations on Sunday and Monday, along with over 3,400 delays. On Tuesday alone, the airline faced 738 cancellations or delays.
Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, expressed regret regarding the disruptions in a statement, reaffirming that canceling flights is not a decision taken lightly. He acknowledged the challenges faced by passengers and highlighted Delta’s commitment to connecting people worldwide.
Bastian explained that the airline relies on a significant number of applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, including a crew tracking tool that struggled to function properly due to the system failures. In response, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights at no cost and is offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.