The Department of Transportation is investigating Delta Air Lines to ensure it is meeting its obligation to consumers following a series of flight cancellations linked to a recent global tech outage.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for all airline passengers, stating on social media that his department has received numerous complaints about Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, is struggling to return to normal operations after a faulty software update from the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike last Thursday impacted various businesses worldwide. This issue particularly affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users facing significant disruptions.
The incident had widespread ramifications, affecting several major industries, including healthcare, retail, and finance. Airlines, however, were particularly hard hit; on Friday alone, FlightAware reported over 46,000 delayed flights and 5,171 cancellations. Delta experienced the most significant impact, canceling around 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday, with an additional 2,500 cancellations on Sunday and Monday, along with delays affecting over 3,400 flights. Tuesday saw 738 flights either canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian acknowledged the challenges in a statement, noting that canceling flights is a last resort and expressing regret to those affected. He explained that many of Delta’s applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including a tool for tracking crew members, which was disrupted by the system failure. In response, Delta has introduced a travel waiver allowing customers to change flights at no charge, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation assistance.