A Delta Air Lines Boeing 757-200 flies past the U.S. Capitol dome in Washington as it lands at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025.
Bill Clark | Cq-roll Call Inc. | Getty Images
delta airlines The company said the government shutdown that ended last month led to lower bookings and about $200 million less in pre-tax profits amid the longest gridlock in U.S. history.
The airline said the impact on its current quarter earnings would be about 25 cents per share. Delta Air Lines in October expected fourth-quarter adjusted earnings of $1.60 to $1.90 per share.
But travel demand remains healthy and bookings are strong into 2026, Delta Air Lines reiterated in a securities filing Wednesday ahead of an industry conference.
The air traffic controller shortage worsened during the shutdown, and the Trump administration forced airlines to reduce schedules to relieve pressure on controllers. But even with that move, delays and cancellations in the days leading up to the shutdown ended were higher than expected.
Air traffic controllers were already stretched to the limit before the shutdown and had to work without regular pay during the shutdown.
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian and other airline executives have repeatedly pressed lawmakers and officials in Washington to ensure that air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration officials and other air travel workers are paid in the event of another grounding.
