Delta Air Lines, Inc. (DAL) Agrees to $8.1 Million Settlement of Federal COVID-19 Fund Misuse Case

Trading at a low P/E multiple with potential upside for investors, Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) is among the 14 Cheap Transportation Stocks to Buy According to Analysts.

On July 16, 2025, it was announced by the U.S. Justice Department that Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) misused federal COVID-19 relief funds, as a result of which the company will pay $8.1 million in a settlement.

The Payroll Support Program was created under the 2020 CARES Act to support airlines with the retention of workers during the pandemic, ensuring that the airlines could resume operations once the pandemic eases. The state claims that Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) violated the program’s terms by exceeding compensation limits for some executives in March 2020 and April 2023.

However, Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL) has denied the claims, labeling the whole issue as a “technical disagreement.” Thus, to avoid costly litigation, the company has agreed to the $8.1 million settlement.

Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE:DAL), operating in the U.S. and internationally, offers scheduled air transportation services for passengers and cargo. It is on the list of cheap transportation stocks.

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