Transportation Department to Investigate Delta After Flight Delays

23.07.2024 - 17:13 / nytimes.com / Pete Buttigieg

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on Tuesday that his department had opened an investigation into Delta Air Lines after the tech outage last week disrupted flights worldwide, and the agency wanted to hear from travelers who said that the airline had not complied with passenger protection requirements.

The aim of the investigation is to “ensure the airline is following the law and taking care of its passengers during continued widespread disruptions,” Mr. Buttigieg said in a statement.

“All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly,” he added.

The Transportation Department has consumer protection requirements that cover lost baggage, lengthy tarmac delays, compensation for being bumped from an overbooked flight and other protections.

Passengers should try to resolve their travel issues directly with Delta, Mr. Buttigieg said, but the department wanted to hear from those who thought the airline “has not complied” with the protection requirements during the recent travel disruptions. His announcement included a link to a form for passengers to provide information about their concerns.

Mr. Buttigieg’s statement did not specifically mention the reports of unaccompanied minors being stranded at airports, but in an emailed reply to a question about how passenger protections may cover children traveling alone the department said that it was “seeking answers” and that it was “extremely concerned.”

We “have made clear that we expect Delta to prioritize getting kids safely and swiftly to their destinations,” the email statement said.

Delta barred children under age 18 from traveling without a guardian as it struggled to recover from the global technology outage on Friday, which crippled Microsoft systems, hobbling train networks, disrupting hospitals and forcing airlines around the world to ground flights.

The airline initially suspended travel for unaccompanied minors until Sunday, but then it extended the suspension through Tuesday. “Those already booked will not be able to travel,” Delta’s website said. “Please do not book new travel for unaccompanied minors during this time.”

Delta has been the slowest U.S. airline to restore its operations, canceling more than 1,000 flights each day from Friday to Monday. Another 445 had been canceled as of 11 a.m. on Tuesday, according to the flight tracking website FlightAware. Some families said they had not been notified of the change until their children were turned away at the airline counter at the airport.

In a statement on Tuesday, the airline said it was cooperating with the Transportation Department’s investigation. “Across our operation, Delta teams are working tirelessly to care for and make it right for customers impacted by delays and