The Department of Transportation is launching an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure consumer rights are being upheld, as the airline faces ongoing flight cancellations following a recent global tech outage.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the necessity for fair treatment of all airline passengers in a statement on social media. He noted that his department has received numerous complaints regarding Delta’s handling of the situation after the technological disruptions.
Delta, based in Atlanta, has struggled to restore its operations in the aftermath of a problematic software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike last Thursday, which significantly affected various businesses globally. This update caused issues with Microsoft’s Windows operating systems, leaving many corporate clients unable to access essential systems.
The repercussions of this incident reached nearly every major industry, especially airlines and airports, which suffered the most. On Friday alone, over 46,000 flights were delayed, with an additional 5,171 cancellations reported, according to FlightAware, with Delta being particularly hard-hit.
The airline reported canceling roughly 3,500 flights over the weekend and over 2,500 more on Sunday and Monday, along with nearly 3,441 delays. By Tuesday, Delta had already canceled or delayed 738 flights.
Delta CEO Ed Bastian expressed regret for the disruptions, stating that canceling flights is always a last resort. He acknowledged the challenges faced by travelers due to these events, emphasizing Delta’s commitment to connecting people worldwide.
Bastian explained that many of Delta’s applications, particularly those related to crew tracking, depend on Microsoft Windows, which struggled to cope with the system difficulties. In response, Delta has offered a travel waiver allowing customers to change their flights without fees, alongside meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and transportation options.