Longest US government shutdown cost Delta Air Lines $200M

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Delta lost an estimated $200 million due to the 43-day government shutdown .

Refunds surged and bookings slowed amid flight cancellations and FAA restrictions.

Over 10,000 flights cut across major U.S. airports , affecting holiday travel .

CEO Ed Bastian expects a strong year-end recovery despite shutdown impacts.

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 lon