Investigation Against Delta Air Lines After Technical Malfunction

The U.S. Department of Transportation has launched an investigation against Delta Air Lines after a technical failure last week led to global flight disruptions. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized that the agency wants to hear statements from travelers who believe the airline failed to comply with passenger protection regulations. The aim of the investigation is to ensure that the airline acts in accordance with the law and adequately cares for its passengers during ongoing widespread disruptions, Buttigieg said in a statement. "All airline passengers have the right to fair treatment," he added. The Department of Transportation's consumer protection requirements include regulations on lost baggage, long tarmac delays, compensation for overbookings, and other protective measures. Buttigieg advised passengers to address their travel issues directly with Delta, but the department would like reports from those who believe the airline did not meet the protection requirements. A form has been provided to report concerns. On Friday, due to the failure of Microsoft systems, which also disrupted rail networks and hospitals, Delta excluded all unaccompanied minors from traveling without a guardian. This regulation was initially suspended until Sunday and then extended to Tuesday. "Pre-booked trips cannot take place," Delta's website stated. "Please do not book any new trips for unaccompanied minors during this period." Delta was the U.S. airline that was the slowest to resume its operations and had to cancel more than 1,000 flights daily from Friday to Monday. By Tuesday morning, another 400 flights had been canceled, according to information from FlightAware. Some families reported they were only informed of the changes at the airport.