The U.S. Department of Transportation is looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure that consumer rights are being respected, as the airline continues to cancel flights following a global tech outage that occurred last week.
Mars, the candy manufacturer, is set to acquire Kellanova, the maker of Pop-Tarts, marking one of the largest business deals of the year.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg commented on the situation via social media, stating, “All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.” He noted that his department has received numerous complaints concerning Delta’s response to the recent tech disruptions.
Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, has faced challenges in resuming normal operations after a problematic software update from the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike impacted businesses worldwide late last Thursday. This glitch affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, causing issues for corporate users, who experienced significant disruptions, including the notorious “Blue Screen of Death.”
The incident had widespread implications across numerous sectors, notably affecting healthcare, delivery services, retail, and banking. Airlines, particularly, suffered extensively, with over 46,000 flights delayed and 5,171 canceled on Friday alone, as reported by FlightAware, with Delta being the most affected carrier.
Delta announced the cancellation of approximately 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday, with more than 2,500 additional flights cancelled on Sunday and Monday, alongside 3,441 delays. As of Tuesday, FlightAware indicated that 738 flights were canceled or delayed.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed his regret, 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.”
He further explained that Delta relies on a considerable number of applications using Microsoft Windows, including a crucial crew tracking tool that could not adjust to the changes caused by the system failure. To assist affected passengers, Delta has implemented a travel waiver allowing free flight changes and is providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.