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Federal Shutdown raises concerns for aviation industry, Delta CEO warns of potential impacts

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian reassured CNBC that the airline’s operations are currently unaffected by the federal government shutdown, but expressed concerns that if the shutdown extends another 10 days, there could be potential disruptions. This comes as more than 13,000 U.S. flights faced delays this week, with shortages of air traffic controllers being a contributing factor.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy highlighted a slight increase in sick calls among air traffic controllers, further exacerbating concerns about the strain on the aviation industry. With thousands of federal employees, including air traffic controllers and TSA officers, working without pay, the situation is becoming increasingly precarious. While Delta has not experienced any negative impacts yet, Bastian stressed the need for a prompt resolution to avoid potential disruptions in the near future.