Delta’s Tech Troubles: DOT Steps In Amid Flight Chaos

The Department of Transportation is looking into Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is addressing consumer concerns amid ongoing flight cancellations following a global technology failure last week.

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg emphasized on social media that every airline passenger deserves fair treatment, pledging to uphold this right. His department has reportedly received “hundreds of complaints” regarding Delta’s response to the tech disruptions.

Delta Air Lines, based in Atlanta, is working to restore full operations after a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which occurred late Thursday, caused widespread issues globally. This software glitch particularly affected Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate users with inaccessible systems and, in some cases, encountering the “Blue Screen of Death.”

The incident caused significant disruption across various sectors, impacting healthcare providers, delivery services, retailers, and financial institutions. Airlines suffered notably, with more than 46,000 flight delays and an additional 5,171 cancellations reported on Friday alone, according to FlightAware. Delta faced the toughest challenge, canceling about 3,500 flights over Friday and Saturday. The airline continued to see cancellations, with over 2,500 flights canceled on Sunday and Monday, and a further 738 flights either canceled or delayed by Tuesday.

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. I want to apologize to everyone who has been affected by these events.” He highlighted that many of Delta’s operations rely on Microsoft Windows applications, including tools necessary for crew management, which were unable to function due to the tech failure. In response to the situation, Delta has offered a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights without charge, as well as providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation.

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