Delta CEO views Trump administration's regulatory approach as a 'fresh breeze'.

• Ed Bastian, Delta CEO, stated that the past four years were characterized by excessive government intervention.
• The airline CEOs have called on the new government to update air traffic control systems.

The Trump administration's regulatory approach could be a "freshening breeze," said CEO Ed Bastian.

During a conversation with reporters prior to Delta's investor day, Bastian stated that President-elect Trump had pledged to examine regulation and bureaucracy during his campaign.

The U.S. Department of Transportation, under Secretary Pete Buttigieg, has introduced several rules to safeguard consumers. Some of these rules have been met with opposition from the airline industry, including a rule this year that mandates airlines to provide automatic cash refunds to passengers in the event of flight cancellations.

Over the past four years, the industry has witnessed an "excess of expansion."

The DOT is investigating airlines' profitable loyalty programs and seeking information about how carriers can unilaterally alter the value of frequent flyer points.

Delta anticipates an increase in sales and profits in the near future due to strong consumer demand and rising household wealth, as reported on Wednesday.

Trump appointed former U.S. congressman and Fox Business host Sean Duffy to head the department. Duffy did not respond to a request for comment.

The Federal Aviation Administration is responsible for air traffic control and other key pieces of infrastructure, and other U.S. airline CEOs have urged the incoming administration to ensure the industry has enough resources to improve these areas.

CEO Robert Isom stated at the Skift Aviation Forum in Dallas that there is a need to invest in the industry and that more work is required to approve visas for individuals to visit the U.S.

In a recent interview, CEO Jude Bricker stated that the DOT requires only stability and resources.

Analysts and industry insiders anticipate that the new administration will be more receptive to mergers and acquisitions.

Despite President Joe Biden's administration not opposing the acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, his Justice Department successfully blocked two airline deals this year: Spirit Airlines' acquisition by Frontier Airlines and JetBlue's partnership with American Airlines in the Northeast.

"Perhaps this administration would adopt a different position," said Bricker of Sun Country. "It can't get any more opposed to it."