The Department of Transportation is looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer rights are being upheld as the airline continues to cancel flights following a global tech glitch last week.
In a statement on social media, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment and noted that the department had received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, headquartered in Atlanta, has faced challenges in resuming normal operations days after a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike affected various industries globally. This update caused issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, disrupting access for corporate users and triggering the infamous “Blue Screen of Death.”
The tech incident impacted nearly all major sectors, including healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, with airlines and airports experiencing some of the most significant disruptions. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, and 5,171 were canceled, according to FlightAware, with Delta being particularly affected.
Delta reported canceling around 3,500 flights on Friday and Saturday, and by Sunday and Monday, the airline had canceled more than 2,500 additional flights while also delaying another 3,441. On Tuesday, 738 flights were either canceled or delayed.
Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret over the cancellations, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly. I want to apologize to every one of you who have been impacted 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 indicated that Delta relies on a “significant number of applications” utilizing Microsoft Windows, including a tool for crew tracking that struggled to manage the changes due to the system failure. To assist customers affected by the cancellations, Delta has offered a travel waiver allowing for free flight changes as well as meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.