The Department of Transportation is looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is addressing consumer needs as it faces ongoing flight cancellations following a recent global tech failure.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized on social media that all airline passengers deserve fair treatment and vowed to uphold that right. His comments come after the department received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has struggled to return to normal operations following a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike that took place late Thursday. This update adversely affected Microsoft’s Windows systems, leaving many businesses, including Delta, reeling. The incident resulted in significant disruptions across various industries such as healthcare, delivery services, retail, and finance, but airlines and airports experienced the worst of it. On Friday, over 46,000 flights were delayed and more than 5,171 were canceled, according to FlightAware, with Delta suffering the most cancellations.
Delta reported around 3,500 flight cancellations on Friday and Saturday, with an additional 2,500 flights canceled over Sunday and Monday and 3,441 more delays. As of Tuesday, the airline had already canceled or delayed 738 flights.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the disruptions, stating, “Canceling a flight is always a last resort, and something we don’t take lightly.” He acknowledged the challenges faced by affected passengers and reaffirmed Delta’s commitment to connecting people globally.
Bastian noted that Delta relies on numerous applications that utilize Microsoft Windows, one of which is essential for crew tracking and was unable to adjust due to the tech issues. In response to the widespread disruptions, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing customers to change flights without penalties, in addition to providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation support.