When Politics Grounded Planes: A CEO's Frustration

Delta's boss, Ed Bastian, had some strong words about the recent government shutdown. He said it was a mess that hurt both the airline and its customers. The problem started when the government suddenly cut flight capacity without any warning. This left Delta scrambling to figure out how to reroute flights and keep things running smoothly. Bastian was especially upset about how federal workers were treated. Air traffic controllers and security agents worked without pay for weeks. He said this was unfair, especially since these jobs are already high-stress. He called on government officials to do their jobs and provide more stability for the aviation industry. The shutdown also highlighted some bigger problems in the air travel system. Bastian pointed out that the technology used to manage air traffic is outdated. This means that safety is maintained by slowing things down, which can lead to delays. Despite these challenges, Delta is working to get back on track. However, Bastian warned that recovery takes time and can't happen overnight. Looking ahead, Bastian hopes that there won't be another shutdown. If there is, he wants to find a better solution than putting the burden on travelers and workers. He emphasized the need for government support to modernize the air travel infrastructure.