The Department of Transportation is currently looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer rights are being upheld amidst a wave of flight cancellations following a global technology failure last week.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of fair treatment for all airline passengers, stating that his department has received numerous complaints about Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, has faced significant challenges in returning to regular operations after a flawed software update by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike caused widespread disruptions. This update affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users unable to access their systems and facing severe technical issues.
The impact was felt across various sectors, but airlines and airports experienced some of the most significant setbacks. On a single day, over 46,000 flights were delayed and 5,171 were canceled, with Delta suffering the most cancellations.
Delta reported around 3,500 canceled flights over the weekend, with an additional 2,500 cancellations occurring on Sunday and Monday, along with over 3,400 delayed flights. As of Tuesday, 738 flights have either been canceled or delayed.
In response to these challenges, Delta CEO Ed Bastian issued an apology to those impacted by the disruptions. He noted that canceling flights is a last resort and an unfortunate decision for the airline. Bastian explained that numerous Delta applications rely on Microsoft Windows, including essential tools for crew tracking, which were impaired due to the systemic issues.
To assist affected customers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes, along with providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation services.