Delta blames $200 million loss on government shutdown chaos
Delta Air Lines says it lost $200 million in profit due to the 43-day US government shutdown that started October 1.
CEO Ed Bastian pointed to a spike in refunds and fewer bookings as travelers felt uneasy about flying.
The shutdown left many air traffic controllers unpaid and looking for other work, so the FAA had to cancel up to 6% of domestic flights at major airports.
Why it matters
The flight cuts hit big cities like New York, Chicago, LA, and Atlanta—over 10,000 flights were canceled just before Thanksgiving.
While Delta bounced back with strong holiday bookings by late November, the shutdown also stirred controversy: nearly 20,000 FAA staff worked without pay but only a small group got bonuses.
Lawmakers are now pushing for fairer treatment of workers during future shutdowns—reminding us how political gridlock can mess with travel plans and people's livelihoods.