Delta Air Lines, Inc.

Delta Air Lines agreed in July 2025 to pay $8.1 million to resolve False Claims Act allegations concerning restrictions attached to federal pandemic-relief funding. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Delta participated in the federal Payroll Support Program established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. The program provided financial assistance to airlines and related businesses so that they could continue paying employee wages, salaries and benefits during the severe disruption to air travel. Delta received approximately $11.9 billion through the Payroll Support Program. According to the Justice Department, at least approximately $8.2 billion of this assistance consisted of grants that Delta was not required to repay. Participation in the program was subject to conditions imposed by Congress and the Department of the Treasury. Among those conditions were limits on the amount of compensation participating companies could pay certain highly compensated corporate officers and employees. The United States alleged that between March 2020 and April 2023 Delta paid certain corporate officers and employees compensation exceeding the limits applicable under its Payroll Support Program agreements. The government further alleged that Delta submitted certifications stating that it complied with the compensation restrictions despite allegedly exceeding those limits. According to the government, Delta also failed to notify the Treasury Department about the alleged breaches. Delta agreed to pay $8.1 million to resolve the False Claims Act allegations. The settlement resolves civil allegations only. There was no judicial determination of liability, and the allegations resolved by the settlement should therefore continue to be described as allegations rather than established findings. Primary source: U.S. Department of Justice — Delta Air Lines Agrees to Pay $8.1M to Settle Alleged False Claims Act Violations Related to Payroll Support Program: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/delta-airlines-agrees-pay-81m-settle-alleged-false-claims-act-violations-related-payroll