Skift Take
Delta is losing about $25 million in revenue this month because of the partial government shutdown. For such a big company, that's not a big number. But clearly Delta would like the government to reopen, and executives spent a good portion of their earnings call discussing it.
Delta Air Lines planned to begin flying its newest — and most comfortable— narrowbody jet into key business markets later this month, perhaps hoping to poach customers from its two biggest competitors. But the government shutdown likely has ruined that plan.
It has also cost Delta about $25 million in revenue this month, as government officials, many of whom are not working, postpone business and leisure trips.
"We are seeing some pressure in our business,' Delta CEO Ed Bastian said Tuesday on the airline's fourth quarter earnings call.
Delta will be fine, but the airline is working through contingency plans so it will not have cancel or delay flights next month, when it may have fewer aircraft than expected. The first flight for Delta's new Airbus A220 has been scheduled for Jan. 31, but it's becoming less likely that will happen because of the government shutdown.
The Federal Aviation Administration must certify Delta's new aircraft first, and the entity is wo
