The Department of Transportation is conducting an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer rights are being upheld as the airline deals with continued flight cancellations following last week’s global technology outage.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized on social media that “all airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly,” noting that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, has faced significant operational challenges after a flawed software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike affected businesses worldwide. This update caused issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, resulting in many corporate users experiencing system failures.
The chaos extended to numerous sectors, including healthcare, retail, delivery services, and financial institutions, but airlines and airports experienced particularly severe disruptions. On one Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and more than 5,171 flights were canceled, with Delta being notably impacted.
In total, Delta canceled approximately 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday, with over 2,500 additional cancellations reported on Sunday and Monday, alongside 3,441 delays. By Tuesday, the airline recorded another 738 cancellations or delays.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to everyone affected by these events. Delta is in the business of connecting the world, and we understand how difficult it can be when your travels are disrupted.”
Bastian added that Delta relies on numerous applications running on Microsoft Windows, including a tool vital for crew tracking, which was unable to function due to the system shutdown. To assist affected customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation services.