The longest government shutdown on record cost Delta Air Lines an estimated $200 million, CEO Ed Bastian said Wednesday in the first disclosure by a U.S. airline regarding the shutdown's financial impact.Bastian told investors that refunds “grew significantly” while bookings slowed amid the uncertainty in air travel caused by the 43-day shutdown, contributing to Delta's loss of about 25 cents per share.The shutdown, which began Oct. 1, led to long delays at major airports and historic flight cancellations at 40 of the country's busiest airports as more unpaid air traffic controllers missed work, citing additional stress and the need to take on side jobs. As the shutdown dragged into a second month, the Federal Aviation Administration issued an emergency order requiring commercial airlines to cancel up to 6% of their domestic flights — a decision that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described as necessary to guarantee safe air travel.
The longest government shutdown on record cost Delta Air Lines an estimated $200 million, CEO Ed Bastian said Wednesday in the first disclosure by a U.S. airline regarding the shutdown's financial impact.
Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) Presents at Morgan Stanley Global Consumer & Retail Conference 2025 Transcript
“I am curious as to why Delta didn't ask me, the account holder, whether this was OK.”
Delta Air Lines said it expects a $200 million impact to its fourth quarter pre-tax profit due to disruptions caused by the recent US government shutdown, translating to roughly $0.25 per share. Earlier this week, JetBlue Airways similarly flagged a minor operational impact for the quarter related to the shutdown, combined with Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica.
The market has been braced for negative news as carriers reveal the effects of the government shutdown.
Delta said the government shutdown that ended last month cost it $200 million in earnings. The carrier said bookings weakened during the shutdown, the longest in U.S. history.
Delta Air Lines expects to take a $200 million hit from government shutdown flight disruption. Airlines were forced to cancel thousands of flights during October and November.
In the most recent trading session, Delta Air Lines (DAL) closed at $65.14, indicating a +1.54% shift from the previous trading day.
The recommendations of Wall Street analysts are often relied on by investors when deciding whether to buy, sell, or hold a stock. Media reports about these brokerage-firm-employed (or sell-side) analysts changing their ratings often affect a stock's price.
In the closing of the recent trading day, Delta Air Lines (DAL) stood at $62.15, denoting a +2.44% move from the preceding trading day.
Delta plans its largest transatlantic schedule for summer 2026, adding new routes and upgraded amenities to tap rebounding travel demand.