The Department of Transportation is examining Delta Air Lines to ensure proper consumer care amid ongoing flight cancellations after a global tech outage last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment and assured that this right would be upheld. He mentioned that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation caused by the tech failures.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in resuming normal operations following a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike last Thursday, which disrupted numerous businesses worldwide. The faulty update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving corporate users with limited access and sometimes encountering critical system errors.
The incident had widespread repercussions across various industries, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance. Airlines experienced the most severe impact; on Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed and 5,171 were canceled. Delta was particularly affected, canceling around 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday, and more than 2,500 additional flights on Sunday and Monday, with over 3,400 delays. On Tuesday, 738 flights faced similar disruptions.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian stated that canceling flights is a last resort and expressed his apologies to those affected by the disruptions. He acknowledged the significant reliance on Microsoft Windows applications within the airline, including tools essential for crew tracking, which were hampered by the system failure. In response, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change flights at no additional cost, along with providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.