Delta Air Lines Inc.: 10-K Risk Factor Changes

Airlines are subject to extensive regulatory and legal compliance requirements that result in significant costs and may have material adverse effects on our business. For instance, the FAA from time to time issues directives and other regulations relating to the maintenance and operation of aircraft that necessitate significant expenditures and could carry operational implications. We expect to continue incurring significant expenses to comply with the FAA’s regulations. In addition, a directive or other regulation that has a significant operational impact on us–including, for example, a temporary reduction in flights at high-traffic airports to address air traffic control staffing challenges–could have a material adverse impact on our financial results. Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2025 Form 10-K23 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2025 Form 10-K23 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2025 Form 10-K23 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2025 Form 10-K 23 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2025 Form 10-K23 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2025 Form 10-K23 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2025 Form 10-K 23 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2025 Form 10-K23 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2025 Form 10-K 23 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2025 Form 10-K 23 Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Inefficiencies in the U.S. air traffic control system, which is regulated by the FAA, including outdated technology and inadequate staffing levels have resulted, and may in the future result, in delays and disruptions of air traffic, especially during peak travel periods in certain congested markets. Failure to implement measures to improve the air traffic control system could lead to capacity constraints as well as increased delays and inefficiencies in flight operations as demand for U.S. air travel increases, having a material adverse effect on our operations. Failure to update the air traffic control system in a timely manner, and the substantial funding requirements of an updated system that may be imposed on air carriers, may have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. Airport slot access is subject to government regulation and changes in slot regulations or allocations could impose a significant cost on the airlines operating in airports subject to such regulations or allocations or otherwise adversely affect an airline’s business. Certain of our hubs are among the most congested airports in the United States and have been, and could in the future be, the subject of regulatory action that might limit the number of flights and/or increase costs of operations at certain times or throughout the day. Air traffic control inefficiencies or inadequate staffing levels can also exacerbate these pressures. Other laws, regulations, taxes and airport rates and charges have also been imposed from time to time that significantly increase the cost of airline operations, reduce revenues or otherwise impact our business. The industry is heavily taxed. Additional taxes and fees, if implemented, could negatively impact our results of operations. As an international carrier, we are subject to a wide variety of U.S. and foreign laws that affect trade, including tariff and trade policies, export and import requirements, taxes, monetary policies and other restrictions and charges. In particular, the imposition of significant new tariffs or increases in existing tariffs with respect to aircraft or related parts that we are not able to mitigate could substantially increase our costs, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our financial results. Some of our operations are in high-risk legal compliance environments. Failure to comply with trade sanctions and restrictions, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the "FCPA") and similar anti-bribery laws in non-U.S. jurisdictions, as well as other applicable laws or regulations could result in litigation, assessment of damages, imposition of penalties or other consequences, any or all of which could harm our reputation and have an adverse effect on our financial results. In certain circumstances, we also may be subject to consequences of the failure of our airline partners to comply with laws and regulations, including U.S. laws to which they may be subject such as the FCPA. We and other U.S. carriers are subject to U.S. and foreign data privacy and security laws, as well as emerging laws and regulations governing the use of AI, that are not consistent in all countries in which we operate and which are continuously evolving, requiring ongoing monitoring and updates to our privacy, information security and AI governance programs. Although we dedicate significant resources to manage compliance with global privacy, information security and AI-related obligations, this challenging regulatory environment may pose material risks to our business, including increased operational burdens and costs, regulatory enforcement, and legal claims or proceedings.

Airlines are subject to extensive regulatory and legal compliance requirements that result in significant costs and may have material adverse effects on our business. There have also been recent legal developments in the United States that may change the way historical obligations have been interpreted or applied. The FAA from time to time issues directives and other regulations relating to the maintenance and operation of aircraft that necessitate significant expenditures and could carry operational implications. We expect to continue incurring significant expenses to comply with the FAA’s regulations. In addition, a directive or other regulation that has a significant operational impact on us could have a material adverse impact on our financial results. Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K24 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K24 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K24 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 24 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K24 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K24 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 24 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K24 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 24 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 24 Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Inefficiencies in the U.S. air traffic control system, which is regulated by the FAA, can result in delays and disruptions of air traffic, especially during peak travel periods in certain congested markets. Failure to implement measures to improve the air traffic control system could lead to increased delays and inefficiencies in flight operations as demand for U.S. air travel increases, having a material adverse effect on our operations. Failure to update the air traffic control system in a timely manner, and the substantial funding requirements of an updated system that may be imposed on air carriers, may have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. Airport slot access is subject to government regulation and changes in slot regulations or allocations could impose a significant cost on the airlines operating in airports subject to such regulations or allocations or otherwise adversely affect an airline’s business. Certain of our hubs are among the most congested airports in the United States and have been, and could in the future be, the subject of regulatory action that might limit the number of flights and/or increase costs of operations at certain times or throughout the day. Air traffic control inefficiencies can also enhance these pressures. Other laws, regulations, taxes and airport rates and charges have also been imposed from time to time that significantly increase the cost of airline operations, reduce revenues or otherwise impact our business. The industry is heavily taxed. Additional taxes and fees, if implemented, could negatively impact our results of operations. As an international carrier, we are subject to a wide variety of U.S. and foreign laws that affect trade, including tariff and trade policies, export and import requirements, taxes, monetary policies and other restrictions and charges. In particular, the imposition of significant tariffs with respect to aircraft that we are not able to mitigate could substantially increase our costs, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our financial results. Some of our operations are in high-risk legal compliance environments. Failure to comply with trade sanctions and restrictions, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the "FCPA") and similar anti-bribery laws in non-U.S. jurisdictions, as well as other applicable laws or regulations could result in litigation, assessment of damages, imposition of penalties or other consequences, any or all of which could harm our reputation and have an adverse effect on our financial results. In certain circumstances, we also may be subject to consequences of the failure of our airline partners to comply with laws and regulations, including U.S. laws to which they may be subject such as the FCPA. We and other U.S. carriers are subject to U.S. and foreign data privacy and security laws that are not consistent in all countries in which we operate and which are continuously evolving, requiring ongoing monitoring and updates to our privacy and information security programs. Although we dedicate significant resources to manage compliance with global privacy and information security obligations, this challenging regulatory environment may pose material risks to our business, including increased operational burdens and costs, regulatory enforcement, and legal claims or proceedings.