Delta Air Lines is grappling with the financial and operational consequences of the recent U.S. government shutdown, which led to thousands of flight cancellations. CEO Ed Bastian confirmed the shutdown will have a significant impact on earnings as the airline was forced to cancel over 2,000 flights, which cannot be recovered within the quarter. Aviation analytics firm Cirium noted that consumer appetite for air travel during the Thanksgiving week has slowed considerably, with bookings down 3.3% compared to the previous year, a stark contrast to the 2% increase seen in late October. This slowdown is attributed to travelers' concerns about potential disruptions following the federally mandated flight cuts. While the shutdown has ended, the disruptions are expected to slash about $400 million from major airlines' operating income.