UNDATED-AP- The longest government shutdown on record cost Delta Air Lines an estimated $200 million, CEO Ed Bastian said Wednesday (Dec. 3, 2025) 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 led to long delays at major airports and historic flight cancellations as unpaid air traffic controllers missed work, citing additional stress and the need to take on side jobs.
The Federal Aviation Administration eventually 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.
Bastian said Duffy’s decision led to more customers holding off on booking their holiday travel.
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