The Department of Transportation is looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is meeting consumer protection standards amidst ongoing flight cancellations following a global technology failure last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment. He noted that the department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation caused by a significant tech outage.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced challenges in resuming normal operations following a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which affected various businesses, including its operations. This update malfunction impacted Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, resulting in many users experiencing access issues.
The incident had a wide-ranging impact, affecting numerous industries such as healthcare, retail, and finance, but airlines were particularly hard-hit. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed and around 5,171 were canceled, with Delta suffering the most cancellations.
The airline canceled approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, and by Sunday and Monday, over 2,500 flights had been canceled along with more than 3,400 delays. On Tuesday, Delta reported 738 flights affected by cancellations or delays.
Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the disruptions, emphasizing that canceling flights is a last resort and not taken lightly. Bastian acknowledged the challenges faced by travelers and reiterated Delta’s commitment to connecting people worldwide.
To assist affected customers, Delta has introduced a travel waiver that allows free flight changes, along with offering meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.