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FAA Opens Airline Compliance Probe as Delta Tallies $200 Million Shutdown Hit

The agency has given major carriers 30 days to prove they followed its Nov. 12 emergency limits.

Overview

  • FAA investigation letters went to scheduled carriers with more than 10 daily flights at any of 40 high‑impact airports, with a 30‑day deadline to document compliance.
  • The Nov. 12 Emergency Order required phased schedule cuts between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., and carriers face fines of up to $75,000 for each flight that exceeded the limits.
  • Delta disclosed an estimated $200 million pretax impact, or about $0.25 per share, after refunds surged and bookings briefly softened during the 43‑day shutdown.
  • More than 10,000 flights were cut from Nov. 7 to Nov. 16 as FAA caps moved from 4% to 6% before being rolled back; Delta reported roughly 2,000 cancellations tied to the order.
  • Southwest lowered its 2025 EBIT outlook to about $500 million citing a shutdown‑related demand dip, while both carriers say bookings have since recovered heading into 2026.