ATLANTA- Delta Air Lines (DL) lost $200 million during the 43-day government shutdown, the longest in US history. The crisis started on October 1, 2025, at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and triggered refunds and booking declines.
CEO Ed Bastian reported the impact at hubs like John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and O’Hare International Airport (ORD). The shutdown ended on November 12.
Delta Air Lines $200 Million Loss
Delta Air Lines (DL) estimated $200 million in losses from the 43-day government shutdown that began on October 1. CEO Ed Bastian disclosed this figure to investors, marking the first US airline report on the event.
Refunds grew significantly while bookings slowed amid air travel uncertainty. The shutdown caused long delays and historic cancellations at 40 of the country’s busiest airports. Unpaid air traffic controllers missed work, citing additional stress and the need to take on side jobs.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an emergency order. Airlines canceled up to 6% of domestic flights to maintain safety. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy described the step as necessary for safe operations.
Bastian noted the unprecedented safety warning. “When you’ve got the secretary of transportation telling people we don’t have controllers, questioning the safety at some level of travel, which has never before happened,” he said.
Customers delayed holiday bookings as a result. The loss equaled about 25 cents per share for Delta.
Shutdown and Flight Restrictions
The shutdown ran from October 1 to November 12. The FAA order took effect on November 7 and required initial domestic flight cuts of 4%.
Cuts increased to 6% before dropping to 3% as controller staffing improved. Restrictions lifted fully on November 16, less than 2 weeks before Thanksgiving.
Over 10,000 flights faced cancellation during this period. Major hubs affected included New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), and Atlanta (ATL). Controllers worked without pay and missed two full paychecks.
Political Pressure and Controller Bonuses
President Donald Trump posted on social media during the shutdown. He urged controllers to “get back to work, NOW!!!” Trump proposed $10,000 bonuses for those who stayed and pay deductions for absentees.
One week after the shutdown ended, the FAA awarded bonuses to 776 controllers and technicians with perfect attendance. This excluded nearly 20,000 other workers.
Senator Tammy Duckworth, ranking member of the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation, sent a letter to Duffy. She demanded bonuses for all remaining FAA workers.
“It is wrong to financially penalize these Federal employees for responsibly managing life events beyond their control while working without pay,” Duckworth wrote.
Duffy responded last week at a news conference ahead of Thanksgiving. He acknowledged the difficult circumstances for controllers.
“If you got 100% on your test, you get the sticker that’s a scratch-and-sniff sticker,” Duffy said. He confirmed all unpaid workers received full backpay.
Delta’s Recovery Outlook
Bastian called the shutdown impacts transitory. Delta experienced a busy Thanksgiving week despite earlier disruptions.
Bookings through Christmas and New Year’s Day stayed really strong. “I think we’re through it and it was transitory,” Bastian said. “We’re looking forward to a strong December, a strong close to the year.”
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