Delta Air Lines issued an emphatic appeal to Congress, urging lawmakers to promptly end the nearly month‑long U.S. government shutdown, which has already deprived thousands of federal employees—including air traffic controllers—of their first paychecks. Earlier in the week, these highly trained professionals, who coordinate the complex choreography of aircraft across the nation’s airspace, faced the disheartening reality of working without pay. In a carefully worded statement emailed to *Business Insider*, a company spokesperson implored Congress to pass what is known as a “clean continuing resolution,” meaning a legislative measure free of unrelated political conditions or amendments, in order to restore normal government operations. According to Delta, reopening the government is essential so that air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents—individuals entrusted with the safety, order, and efficiency of the national aviation system—can finally receive the compensation they have duly earned through their indispensable labor.

At the heart of this political impasse lie deep divisions between Democratic and Republican lawmakers, who remain unable to reach an agreement on the clean resolution bill. This specific piece of legislation would provide vital funding necessary to keep federal agencies operating, sustain public services, and ensure that government workers, including those stationed in airports and control towers, are paid on time. The absence of such funding has produced a growing ripple effect across the aviation industry and beyond. The shutdown, now extending into its twenty‑ninth day, has become the second‑longest in U.S. history, surpassed only by the 2018–2019 shutdown that lasted a total of thirty‑five days and stretched into the new year. Controllers missed their first full paychecks on the Tuesday prior to Delta’s statement, marking a severe morale and financial strain on essential personnel tasked with maintaining the safety of America’s skies.

In elaborating on Delta’s stance, the spokesperson further emphasized that the loss of income only heightens anxiety among these essential federal employees. Many of them are already performing mandatory overtime to manage standard flight volumes and ensure passenger safety despite reduced staffing levels. Such stress, according to Delta, threatens not only individual wellbeing but also the efficiency and resilience of the larger air travel network. Although airlines themselves are not directly responsible for paying federal employees, the operational stability of carriers like Delta heavily depends on the smooth functioning of these federal roles. Air traffic controllers guide takeoffs and landings to avoid congestion and potential hazards; TSA agents keep security checkpoints moving swiftly, deterring threats while preventing long lines; and CBP officers expedite customs procedures for international travelers and shipments. The coordination among these federal workers enables airlines to maintain punctuality, reduce delays, and preserve customer satisfaction—all critical factors for profitability in a competitive industry where margins are thin and public perception matters immensely.

Delta underscored that ensuring the steady flow of aircraft and passengers is not merely a logistical concern but a fundamental element of its economic health. The company’s President, Glen Hauenstein, had already addressed the financial implications of the shutdown during Delta’s third‑quarter earnings call on October 9, merely nine days after the shutdown began. At that time, he estimated that the shutdown was costing the airline less than one million dollars per day, reflecting only a modest impact given the short duration. However, he contrasted this with the previous government shutdown, which commenced in late 2018 and ultimately cost the company about one million dollars in lost revenue per day as it dragged on. This comparison highlighted how extended disruptions in federal operations can rapidly accumulate significant financial consequences for private industry, particularly for airlines whose dependence on government‑operated infrastructure is constant and unavoidable.

By calling on Congress to act decisively and in a non‑partisan manner, Delta Air Lines effectively positioned its plea as both a moral and economic argument. The company’s message conveyed not just concern for the well‑being of federal workers forced to endure financial hardship but also an awareness of the broader societal and economic costs tied to political stalemate. In Delta’s view, the swift restoration of normal government functioning would relieve needless pressure on a dedicated workforce and stabilize the aviation ecosystem upon which millions of travelers, businesses, and communities depend. The airline’s statement ultimately served as a reminder that while the shutdown may have begun as a battle over policy priorities, its repercussions are measured most acutely in disrupted lives, strained public services, and the growing fatigue of those who keep the nation’s airways safe, secure, and in motion.

Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/delta-air-lines-implores-congress-government-shutdown-workers-2025-10